Take Notes! Don't be afraid to fail in social media.

Don’t be afraid to fail. Then why start the conversation? Because you want your community to take an action.

The Foundation Center just finished up an event, Social Media for Social Good. Jereme Bivins put several videos together and you can check out these great interviews with the experts! Listen to the panel discussion below and go to Storify to listen to the Keynote presentation and individual interviews.

A Conversation With...Farra Trompeter of Big Duck

Still not sure you need to be involved with social media? Download IdealWare's The Nonprofit Social Media Decision Guide. The Decision Guide includes a workbook that walks you through:

• What social media is
• Why social media might be useful for you
• How to look at your goals and audiences
• How to choose the social media mix that's right for you

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday! Go out and "rediscover the poet within..."

"I am not done with my changes."  ~ from "The Layers"

The most recent Human Values in Aging newsletter has a bit of poetry from Stanley Kunitz's "The Layers." Kunitz won many awards for his poetry and continued writing until his death at the age of 100. He was a mere 63 when he won the Pulitzer Prize for his work and became Poet Laureate at 95. In his 100th year, he published "The Wild Braid: A Poet Reflects on a Century in the Garden," a collection of poems, photographs and thoughts on gardening.

At the time of his death, the Washington Post shared this quote:

"Essentially," he once said, "what I try to do is to help each person rediscover the poet within himself. I say 'rediscover,' because I am convinced that it is a universal human attribute to want to play with words, to beat out rhythms, to fashion images, to tell a story, to construct forms."

Hear Kunitz read his own poetry, "Touch Me."



Happy Monday! Now go out and "rediscover the poet within"!
(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

AARP Office of Academic Affairs e-newsletter Human Values in Aging is "for those interested in humanities, ethics and aging." (You can subscribe for free here.)

How ‘ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?--right here in Philly!

You have 5 days left to see the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (PAFA)  French exhibition entitled “How ‘ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?” This exhibition, on view since April 1 running through May 29, is presented in partnership with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), inspired by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

PAFA is presenting an installation of art from the 1910s and 1920s showing American artists’ connections with France. This exhibition includes works from PAFA’s permanent collection. The title, “How ‘ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?” is taken from a World War I-era popular song alluding to an entire generation being turned on to cosmopolitan temptations in Paris, exposed to avant-garde styles and fruitful artistic exchange.

The installation centers on Florine Stettheimer's sumptuous scene of artist friends (including the three Stettheimer sisters, Marcel Duchamp and Elie Nadelman) enjoying a picnic idyll at the tail end of World War I. The Stettheimers were instrumental in fostering exchange between European modernists and Americans during the teens. Other prominent PAFA modernist paintings are included to bring out the influence of Parisian modernism on American art.

“How ‘ya gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”

PA Academy of the Fine Arts
Gallery 7, Historic Landmark Building
118 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia
April 1 through May 29, 2011
Adults $10, Seniors (60+) and Students $8

Children ages 13-18, Free for children 12 and under
More info: www.pafa.org

Picnic at Bedford Hills, 1918,

oil on canvas by Florine Stettheimer (1871-1944) ,

40 5/16 x 50 1/4 inches, gift of Ettie Stettheimer, 1950.12

It's Monday! Start the week listening to Isabel!

Wow--has it really been a week and a half since "Creative Conversations" at the Free Library of Philadelphia?

We promised and delivered a Creative Conversations Panel for you to enjoy listening to Older Artists share their stories. What? You couldn't make it to our Event on May 4th? Well start your Monday right here listening to artist Isabel Shapiro share her story...

P.S.--Isabel is a member of Surrey at Havertown Center
Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who came out to "Creative Conversations" last night! What a great crowd! Thanks also to our volunteers who helped make the night a success, and for our wonderful artists and panelists! We are already looking forward to next year....pictures from last night to come soon!

See you for "Creative Conversations" on May 4th!

Our 2nd Annual “Creative Conversations”

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

at

the Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch

1901 Vine Street

(between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway)

Philadelphia, PA 19103

5:00-6:00 p.m. Reception and Art Viewing

Refreshments!

6:00-7:30 p.m. Creative Conversations Panel

Enjoy listening to Older Artists share their stories.

Find out more about the Event here or just go to Eventbrite and RSVP right now.

See you at the Free Library of Philadelphia,
Central Branch on May 4th!

   

                      

Creative Conversations is on Philly Fun Guide!

Our May 4th "Creative Conversations" Event has top billing on the Philly Fun Guide's Featured Events for Senior Works! Swing by here and take a look!

5:00-6:00 p.m. Reception and Art Viewing

Refreshments!

6:00-7:30 p.m. Creative Conversations Panel

Enjoy listening to Older Artists share their stories.

And, while you're at it, check out all the other Celebrate Arts & Aging Events planned for the month of May!

See you at the Philadelphia Free Library on May 4th!

P.S.--Did you RSVP on Eventbrite yet? Well...what are you waiting for?

   

 

                 

And which Library will I see you at on May 4?

I didn't mean for this post to be a two-parter. But let's just say, it's a creative way to invite you to our 2nd Annual Creative Conversation!

When I said I'd see you at the Library on May 4th--I neglected to tell you which Library. So that Librarians all over the Delaware Valley don't feel pressured into entertaining you with witty and creative conversation on May 4th, I decided I should tell you exactly where our Event is being held!

OK--let's try this again . . .

Creative Arts and Aging Network

presents our

2nd Annual “Creative Conversations”

in partnership with the
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

on

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

at

the Free Library of Philadelphia, Central Branch

1901 Vine Street

(between 19th and 20th Streets on the Parkway)

Philadelphia, PA 19103

5:00-6:00 p.m. Reception and Art Viewing

Refreshments!

6:00-7:30 p.m. Creative Conversations Panel

Enjoy listening to Older Artists share their stories.

There--that makes it so much easier for you to join us, doesn't it! The rest of the information about the Event is here or you can go to Eventbrite and RSVP right now.

See you at the Free Library of Philadelphia,
Central Branch on May 4th!

   

 

                 

Join Our 2nd Annual Creative Conversation!

Creative Arts and Aging Network

presents our

2nd Annual “Creative Conversations”

in partnership with the
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
and supported by GenPhilly

All are welcome for the evening!

5:00-6:00 p.m. Reception and Art Viewing

Refreshments!

6:00-7:30 p.m. Creative Conversations Panel

Enjoy listening to Older Artists share their stories.

The Creative Conversations Panel will feature older adult artists, teaching artists, and representatives from organizations that promote arts programming for people of all ages. Hear about the impact that art has in lives of older adults, and learn about local organizations that are promoting arts and aging opportunities. Welcome by Meaghan Brown, President of the Creative Arts and Aging Network and Manager for Healthy Aging at United Way of Southeastern PA. Reception and introductions provided by Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.

This is part of the kickoff event for Celebrate Arts and Aging, a month-long, city-wide celebration featuring exhibitions of extraordinary original artwork by older adults.

Take a minute out right now and RSVP on Eventbrite. We guarantee a fun and intersting evening!

For more details: pick up the May Milestones newspaper, call the PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040, or visit Philly Fun Guide where you can also sign up for weekly emails about discounts, and enter to win tickets for a Night on the Town. Be sure to enter code FUN01.

See you at the Library on May 4th!

   

 

                     

It's Monday! . . . or is it Sunday Mornin' ?

Jerry Lawson & Talk of the Town were competitors on NBC's five-night event The Sing Off. When you watch this video, take a good look at these guys.

Jerry Lawson is 67 years old (part of The Persuasions for 40 years) and the rest of the group must be around the same age. These guys competed against nine other a cappella groups--who were at least two generations younger--and beat out more than half of them. These "oldies but goodies" sang their way to #4 in the whole competition.

So take it Easy and enjoy listening to some "oldies but goodies" music.

Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday! Let's run away and join the circus!

Circus Artist Greg Kennedy has indeed run away to join the circus. Cirque du Soleil that is! Enjoy watching Greg juggle in a giant cone.

Greg Kennedy, now on tour with Cirque du Soleil's show, TOTEM, is the husband of Shana Kennedy, founder and Executive Director of the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. Shana literally started her circus arts school in her back yard!

Shana chronicles her family's adventures traveling around with Cirque du Soleil in her blog Running Away With the Circus.

Does all this circus talk make you want to try juggling or swinging on a trapeze? Well, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts offers Introductory Workshops. Their 75-minute Intro to Circus Skills is a chance to try out trapeze, juggling, tightwire and plate-spinning; while their Intro to Aerials focuses on rope, trapeze and fabric.

HappyMonday!
(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday! And Betty White makes you laugh year, after year, after year , , ,

Unless you've been under a rock, you know that Betty White is hot, hot, hot right now. Betty White is 89 years old!

She's an Emmy Award winning, still funny, still working actress (Hot In Cleveland)--winning a SAG Award. She became the oldest person to guest-host Saturday Night Live, winning her a seventh Emmy last year. She's a published author with another book due out this year. And this past November, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when the USDA Forest Service and Smokey Bear made her an honorary Forest Ranger.

And I remind you--Betty White is 89 years old!

Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday! Let your hands do the dancing!

If you turn on your TV, you'll find Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding dancing their hands for McDonalds. It's Monday and it"s a good day to check out these Irish Dancers dancing their hands before they started selling burgers and shakes!



Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday and it's the last day of February! Let's Dance!

Even if you've seen this video a hundred times already ... 'cmon ... don't tell me you aren't tapping your foot and remembering high school dances. Go ahead. No one's looking. Get up and dance February away!

Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

It's Monday! It's Presidents' Day and a penny saved . . .

Penny wise is often pound foolish. ~ French Proverb

A bad penney always comes back. ~ German Proverb
 

If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone, somewhere is making a penny.  ~ Steven Wright

Happy Presidents' Day!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Yes, more about Baby Boomers . . .

"Boomers have certainly sucked up
a lot of cultural oxygen,"

says the author of The Greater Generation: In Defense of the Baby Boom Legacy.

Take a minute and listen to what some folks have to say about the Boomers' Legacy (after a commercial, of course!).

Two years ago Forbes.com shared their view of the Baby Boomers' Legacy.

How do Boomers and Art go together? According to USA Today, Boomers help democratize art. But Boomer or not, there is always time for Art. 

54-55 Mrs Feintuck
Photo by clarkstown67

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a heArtfilled day today!

Happy Valentine's Day!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Social Media and Boomers

Boomers didn't grow up with computers, but more than one-third of people online today are Boomers. And Boomers are joining Social Media at a record rate.

Now do you see why we keep telling you to get on Facebook!   Remember to  "LIKE" us!

Have you taken the Facebook plunge yet?

No? Well, why not? Re-read our posts Facebook is Easy as 1-2-3! and More Facebook is easy as 1-2-3! And find all our posts about Facebook and Social Media by clicking on that topic in our right-hand sidebar.

wow-thing
Photo by x-ray delta one

It's Monday! Hurry up and watch this before you forget!

Here's a funny video that you will relate to if you are over 50.  A little song about forgetting. A little bit of aging set to music. It's a fun way to start out your . . .  your . . . hmmm, what is today? Oh, yeah--start your Monday!



Happy Monday! (It is Monday, isn't it?)

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Free Visual Arts Workshop for Teaching Artists. Yes, it's Free!

Creative Visual Arts Programming for Older Adults

Thursday, February 24, 2011
1:00-3:30 p.m.

Center for Emerging Visual Artists

1521 Locust Street, Philadelphia

"At the Bartol Foundation, we believe that

everyone deserves access to the arts."

Thank you to the Bartol Foundation for sponsoring this FREE workshop for teaching artists co-presented by the Center for Emerging Visual Artists and the Creative Arts & Aging Network.

Clearly, the research shows that high quality arts programs can improve both physical health and mental health for older adults. However, as a teaching artist, you may not have much experience instructing older adults. With Boomers turning 65 this year, "older adult" is a fast growing target audience.

In this workshop, you will be guided through the process of creating an artist’s book. This artist's book will be from the perspective of a facilitator as well as from the perspective of a student. Workspace and materials prep, finding a common language, and the steps for actually constructing the artist's book will be covered. Also in this workshop, you will examine some of the unique challenges and  wonderful possibilities presented when working with older adults. You will be able to share your questions and personal experiences with each other as you explore the potential of teaching visual art to elders.

To register for this workshop click here. And, please, remember not only to sign up, but to show up on February 24. Help keep these programs FREE!*

P.S.--You should bookmark Bartol Foundations' Workshops page to take advantage of their other useful, practical and FREE workshops such as:

Movement to Dialogue: Multiple Ways of Learning and Communicating

Tuesday, February 15th 4:30-6:30 p.m.

United Way Building, 1709 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia

*These Teaching Artist Programs are supported in part by the Samuel S. Fels Fund.

Substitute Teacher Artist
Photo by Todd Berman

Marc Freedman is coming to Philly!

According to Forbes Magazine, one of the
Names You Need To Know in 2011 is Marc Freedman!

Thanks to The Transition Network Philadelphia and The Gershman Y, Marc Freedman is coming to Philly on February 24 to talk about the opportunities that await us all as we look ahead.

Thank you, TTN,  for bringing him to Philadelphia and for sharing the following news with us!

The Big Shift: What's Ahead for Your Encore Career

Marc Freedman, hailed by The New York Times as

"the voice of the aging baby boomers (seeking) meaningful and sustaining work later in life,"

offers a recipe for how we can transform America's coming midlife crisis into an opportunity for individuals and society. He discusses how people in encore careers provide an unexpected windfall of human talent and what must be done to advance this new stage of life and work.

Marc Freedman is CEO and founder of Civic Ventures, a think tank on boomers, work and social purpose. He spearheaded creation of Experience Corps, now one of America's largest nonprofit national service programs engaging people over 55, and The Purpose Prize, which annually provides five $100,000 prizes and five $50,000 prices to social innovators in the second half of life.

Freedman is the author of Encore, Prime Time, and The Kindness of Strangers. He has been recognized by Fast Company magazine as one of the nation's leading social entrepreneurs, is a winner of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and has been selected as one of the fifty most influential individuals in the non-profit sector. Freedman lives in the San Francisco area.

Where:  Gershman Y, 401 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
When:  Thursday, February 24, 2011
Time:  6:30 p.m. Light Dinner; 7:00 p.m. Program
Cost:  $8 for program; $18 for talk and light dinner

Buy your tickets online.For more information, go to the Gershwin Y website

It's Opposite Monday!

I't must be Opposite Monday because you need to do the opposite of everything in this video!

My Anti-Creativity Checklist

from Youngme Moon on Vimeo.

Happy Opposite Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Facebook is like one big Tupperware Party! Take Notes!

Enjoy this slideshare about a Tupperware Party, I mean Social Media. When you see numbers like 500,000,000+ users (of Facebook, not Tupperware), it's overwhelming to realize just how big Social Media is. But, you really do have to start. Say "yes" to the Social Media Tupperware Party and start with Facebook!
Social Media for Business

View more presentations from Presentation Advisors.

The Tupperware Party Photo by anyjazz65

It's Monday and my Blackberry is not working!

We all need some help with this new "technology"--don't we?!


Happy Monday!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Explore the Relationship Between Illness & Artistic Achievement

The Senior Center at the Philadelphia Free Library invites you to a terrific program.

"While none of us would choose to be ill, sickness has proved to be an unexpected boon to many artists---and to our cultural heritage. Some artists (Andy Warhol) found their true calling while coping with lengthy illnesses as children. Others were forced to change their medium of expression or artistic style when faced with serious illness or disability as adults. Ironically, some artists (Edgar Degas, Chuck Close and others) went on to achieve even greater success after becoming ill. The fascinating Mexican artist Frida Kahlo spent her entire adult life in pain and went on to create a body of work that is as powerful and moving today as when it was first completed. Do the lives of these and other artists offer important lessons that could benefit the rest of us?

"On Wednesday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m., Judith Zausner will explore these themes in a compelling slide presentation that is both educational and inspirational. Ms. Zausner serves on the Board of the Creative Arts and Aging Network (CAAN). She is also a local columnist and blogger who focuses on the relationship between creativity and empowered older adults. Please join us in Room # 108 for great ideas, wonderful food and a warm environment. Thanks to all!"

Dick Levinson

levinsonr@freelibrary.org

It's 2011 and Baby Boomers are turning 65!

USA Today and CBS News have a series of interesting articles and videos about the Boomer Generation. Who is a Boomer, you ask?

"On Jan. 1, the first of 77 million members of the pivotal generation known as the Baby Boom will turn 65. Two Baby Boomers take a look back and walk us through the years that were made for the history books."

Ah... but are Boomers all the same?

Check back here on next Wednesday for more about Boomers.

It's Monday.It's Martin Luther King, Jr's Birthday. Go out and make a difference!

Happy MLK Day!

(Can't see the video? Go to Artful Aging and enjoy!)

Do you know what Generation you belong to? Take a Quiz!

Whether you think you're a Boomer or not, go here and take this fun quiz. What do you remember from your teen years? You'll laugh, you'll cry... Well, okay, maybe not quite that emotional, but you'll have fun remembering!

So you think you can't afford arts programming...

You think you don't have the funds or time to develop arts programming at your site? You don't need a magic wand. Why not look at using volunteers in different ways to free up time for you to plan and develop programming. 

Start with How to Inspire Others and How to Find and Keep Leadership-Level Volunteers from The National Council on Aging's (NCOA) blog.

Center for the Study of Art and Community blog has a great article: What is Your Gift? why is Knowing Your Gift Important?

Make 2011 your year of finding out how to make things happen! (With or without your Magic Want!)

Magic Wand
Photo by Nieve44/La Luz

Happy New Year!

May your new year be one filled with
Art & Creativity,

Aging Well,
and . . .

Fireworks & Champagne!

Happy 2011 from the
Creative Arts & Aging Network!

Happy New 2011!
Photo by Steys