Artists don’t retire. They keep on making art. And that’s what Celebrating Arts for Senior Engagement, a 10-day festival throughout St. Louis, April 28-May 7, is all about.
With a jam-packed schedule of at least 80 arts events spread out among 60-plus venues, Celebrating Arts for Senior Engagement is the first area-wide festival for older adults. Oasis is excited to be involved!
The ability to appreciate and create art doesn’t stop just because we’re getting older. Art has the ability to keep people young in spirit. A New York Times article noted that recent discoveries show when
“older people become involved in culturally enriching programs, they experience a decline in depression, are less likely to fall and pay fewer visits to the doctor.”
“As soon as we heard about Celebrating Arts for Senior Engagement we knew it was something we needed to be involved with,” Jane Overall, St. Louis Oasis Executive Director said. “At Oasis part of our mission is to promote healthy aging through life-long learning and this arts event fits perfectly.”
“Artists have the ability to inspire all of us to try our hand at something we had always wanted to do. Whether that’s play a musical instrument, pick up a pencil and sketch, dig in the dirt, color in a book…do something new,” said Lynn Hamilton, creator of Celebrating Arts for Senior Engagement through the nonprofit Maturity and Its Muse. “This festival is about enjoying life and having fun.”
“Having Oasis involved in Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement was one of the first goals on putting this event together,” Hamilton said. “Oasis is a stellar organization and I’m so happy they’ve offered a good mix of activities.”
Hamilton continued saying “Celebrating Arts for Senior Engagement is an opportunity for people across St. Louis, especially older adults, to get involved with the arts in many different ways from dancing and singing to movies, art exhibits and more.”
Seniors have the opportunity to be entertained or get involved in art projects during the 10-day festival. The majority of programs are free, however some do require registration or a small fee. You can find out about the variety of events by going online to maturityanditsmuse.org/calendar/ and guide yourself to the months of April and May.
Oasis events featured during Celebrating Art for Senior Engagement are:
Grant’s Trail Bike Ride: The Ulysses S. Grant Trail is a “rails to trails” bike trail stretching through south and southwest St. Louis County. Join us for an approximately 16-mile roundtrip ride on a former railroad right of way, now a paved trail with a few small rolling hills. Lunch “on your own” at the Sappington Barn Restaurant.
Fri., April 29, 9:30 – 10:30a.m.
Free – registration required
Treasure or Trash: Antique Appraising: Maria Gianino, Legacy Appraisals, has owned an antique estate jewelry and decorative arts retail store as well as an art gallery in St. Louis. She will share her expert tips to help you identify whether that something old is treasure or trash. 690 Chesterfield Pkwy W, Chesterfield, MO 63017
Wednesday, May 4, 1:00-2:30
Fee: $13.
Oil: The Fuel That Drives U.S. Foreign Policy: In the past decade, the United States has reduced its petroleum imports by 20%. Though foreign oil now fuels less than half of our daily habit, Americans’ disparate use of global oil will continue to drive foreign policy. Examine how the ooze that has tantalized and entangled our nation has played a role in nearly every major U.S. military engagement since World War II. Please join Katie Hagerty Young as she leads an exploration into the history of America’s relationship with its favorite non-renewable resource. Clayton Oasis, 50 Gay, Clayton, MO, 63105.
Thu, May 5, 10am – 12pm
Fee: $15
Medical Quackery and Famous Frauds: You will be amazed and amused at the bizarre treatments and worthless medications that abounded in the early 20th Century. Learn how nervous dispositions and cranky babies were calmed with popular preparations of alcohol and opium. Some of history’s most outrageous hucksters are included in this zany presentation by Bev Schuetz. This event is handicapped accessible.
Fri., May 6, 10a.m. – 12p.m.
Fee: $12
Register or learn more about these programs by going to st-louis.oasisnet.org or calling 314.401.3453.
Other examples of the 80-plus events include:
St. Louis Banjo Club Presents: Fifteen banjo players strummin’ away playing the old, familiar Tin Pan Alley songs from the early 1900s. Sing-along with the words projected just like old Shakey Pizza Parlor days. Concordia Turner Hall, 6432 Gravois Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63116
Thu., April 28, 7:30 – 8:30p.m.
Saint Louis Art Museum Tour: Free drop in tours led by our engaging senior docent guides. Tours will highlight works in our permanent collection that showcase the creativity of older artists and topics relevant to later life. This event is handicapped accessible. Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr, St. Louis, MO 63110
Sun., May 1, 2:00 – 3:30p.m.
Free Poetry Reading with Michael Castro and Shirley LeFlore: Michael Castro is a poet laureate of St. Louis, MO and a founder of the literary journal River Styx. Shirley LeFlore is one of St. Louis’ most influential performance poets and has been a part of many underground activist poetry organizations including the Black Artists’ Group and Harmony. This event is handicapped accessible. Craft Alliance, 6640 Delmar Blvd, STL, MO 63130
Tues., May 3, 6:30 – 7:30p.m.
Move for your health/Dance for your spirit: Alice Bloch leads a movement class designed especially for seniors emphasizing core strength, balance, and creative movement. Then she and her dancers perform the hilarious “Old Lady Skin,” plus selections from her repertoire and choreography by the revolutionary modern dancer, Isadora Duncan. COCA — Center of Creative Arts, 524 Trinity Ave, St. Louis, MO 63130
Wed., May 4, 10:00 – 11:30a.m.