Island seniors will partner with local artists to develop their creative skills, thanks to investments from the provincial government, says Tourism and Culture Minister Robert Henderson.
“Government is pleased to once again fund the highly successful Learning Elders Arts Program,” said the minister. “The projects allow seniors to gain a deeper appreciation for Island art in a social setting.”
The LEAP funding is used by local seniors’ groups to hire professional and semi-professional artists to teach their members about visual and media arts, dance, instrumental or vocal music, theatre or musical theatre, literary arts, folk arts and crafts.
The Department of Tourism and Culture will invest $50,000 in the program, which is administered by the Prince Edward Island Senior Citizens’ Federation.
“LEAP is a fantastic program that greatly benefits both Island seniors and artists,” says executive director Linda Jean Nicholson. “We are very grateful to Minister Henderson for continuing to support this program and we are appreciative to the seniors’ organizations and artists who participate.”
The LEAP program is held during the winter when seniors are more likely to be more isolated. Studies have shown that regular social activity and learning new skills have health benefits for seniors. For more information on LEAP or the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation, visit www.peiscf.com.
BACKGROUNDER
The LEAP projects for 2012:
ACTS (Adults Coming Together Socially), Charlottetown ~ From the Potters Hand with potter Robert McMillan
Bayview Lodge, Charlottetown ~ Memories Through the Pages Scrapbooking with Virginia Cheverie
Brecken House, Charlottetown ~ Heart Felt Expressions, Felting with artist Monica Lacey
Charlotte Residence, Charlottetown ~ Wartime Melodies with actress and singer Joscelynne Bordeaux
Clyde River Women’s Institute, Clyde River ~ Seniors’ Choir with singer and music instructor Lisa Stead
Colville Manor Resident Council, Souris ~ Ideal Wooden Creations with artist Tina Davis
East Prince Seniors Initiative (EPSI), Summerside ~ Visions of Voice with painter Lise Genova
Geneva Villa, Charlottetown ~ Storytelling in Performance with actress and singer Joscelynne Bordeaux
Georgetown Senior’s Group, Georgetown ~ Seniors Soapstone Carving with artist Peter Llewellyn
Kensington Happy Group, Kensington ~ Scrapbooking for Seniors with scrapbook instructor Shirley Swallow
La Cooperative d’Hebergement La Bel Âge ltée, Wellington ~ Hand Appliqué Wall Hanging with quilter Yvonne Pitre
MacKinnon Pines Lodge, Montague ~ Book of Memories with scrapbook instructor Virginia Cheverie
Maplewood Manor, Alberton ~ My New Home painting project with artist Lynn Gaudet
McQuaid Lodge, Charlottetown ~ Pages of Art with scrapbook instructor Virginia Cheverie
Riverview Manor, Montague ~ Creative Ceramics with artist Birdie McKie
Seniors’ Active Living Centre, Charlottetown ~ Introduction to Sculpture with sculptor Mauricio Aristizabal
Shamrock Seniors’ Club, Fort Augustus ~ Exploring the World of Colour with painter Susan Christensen
Silver Threads Seniors’ Club, Souris ~ Keeping Seniors in Stitches, Swedish Weaving with Hazel McInnis
Stewart Memorial Hospital, Tyne Valley ~ Painting with Seniors taught by artist Deborah Kerr
Whisperwood Villa, Charlottetown ~ Ukulele Beginnings with musicians Leah Ziegler and Darlene Acorn