Eight weeks ago I started with my first Senior Peer Counseling client, a lady in her 70s who had recently left the hospital after a one-week stay and was feeling down. I was thrilled yesterday when she showed me this artwork that she created this past week.
Our goal is to get her more socially integrated so that she does not further stress her over-burdened daughter. I have not yet been able to get her to go to community activities in the senior community where she lives, and have not yet persuaded her to visit the Finley Senior Center which is fairly close to where she lives.
My great hope is to get her to enroll in the FREE semester-long art classes offered by SRJC in seven locations in the county, including a previously unknown (to me) campus near the intersection of Hwy. 12 and Fulton Rd.
I spoke with Judy Butler, who teaches this class at the Petaluma Senior Center. She was very kind and enthusiastic.
When I asked if my client, who does not have online access, could drop-in to check it out and register in class, Judy replied,
Hi, Anet – – Your client can sign up in class. The teachers will have the registration materials (very easy to fill out, plus no charge for class.) The names of the three teachers at the Wright site for fall are Adriane Hatkoff, Susan St. Thomas, and Judith Selby. They are all very experienced watercolorists and teachers, no doubt open to accepting art students working in other mediums. All your friend has to do is show up with her art supplies at whatever class schedule time works best for her. Drop-ins are also welcome (but they will probably be asked to fill out the basic reg forms (filed out only once for the whole semester). Sonoma County is filled with many experienced older artists, who thrive in this gorgeous wine country retirement area. I know, because I’m one of them)!
It would make me so happy to see my client in a semester-long art class with other seniors. I know they will see her talent and encourage her. I really think this would help her become more emotionally self-sufficient which would go a long way toward healing her relationship with her long-suffering daughter.