The Geezer Gallery is dedicated to supporting older adults as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging.
The Geezer Gallery is dedicated to supporting older adults as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. Research shows that active participation in professional art programming improves quality of life and promotes physical, mental and emotional health, and social engagement. Therefore, we engage older adults in therapeutic arts programs to positively impact their health and quality of life. The following are examples of our stellar, evidence-based therapeutic arts programs that are designed to meet the goals of mastery and social engagement by stimulating imaginative thinking, problem-solving and creative expression.
VOICES UNCENSORED
Voices Uncensored gives participants a platform to create spoken and written narrative stories that are transformed into art. The profound act of creative expression and storytelling traverses generations. Storytelling gives a voice to everyone and fosters understanding and acceptance by providing an opportunity to listen and tell stories from diverse communities and cultures.
MOMENT-TO-MOMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S
Customized on-going weekly arts program for individuals with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s type dementia that enables them to create and complete a unique art piece each week and provide them with a professionally bound portfolio at the end of the program.
CAPTURING TIME: JOURNALING YOUR JOURNEY
The unique curriculum that TGG developed to enhance older adults’ physical and mental health and increased socialization, by creating their own unique book of thoughts and/or remembrances about a meaningful experience in their life, learning and incorporating visual art and storytelling to express who they are and what they have experienced.
THERAPEUTIC ART PROGRAMS
A critical element of The Geezer Gallery’s mission.
The Geezer Gallery (TGG) partnered with OHSU, Oregon Partner’s for Alzheimer’s Research (OPAR), and Oregon Center for Aging and Technology (ORCATECH) in a collaborative research project that will evaluate the efficacy of “Vibrant Elders” and “Capturing Time”, the major TGG curriculums. This year-long clinical research study was designed to validate how our therapeutic arts program impacts apathy, depression, social engagement, cognitive functioning and quality of life of elders with or without MCI while living in senior communities.
Community outreach in terms of offering exposure to artists while inspiring elders to become involved in the arts is ongoing at TGG. We partner with centers for seniors, including but not limited to Terwilliger Plaza, Hawthorne Gardens, Mary’s Woods, Elite Care, Lake Oswego Women’s Imaging Center, The Springs at Tanasbourne in giving our elder artists excellent visibility to become known for their creative pursuits, which helps them continue to have purpose in their lives while inspiring those who enjoy the works.
