VAM CELEBRATES CREATIVE SENIORS ACROSS CITY OF MISSISSAUGA

Mississauga, ON – Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM) at Riverwood is pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of seniors from across the City of Mississauga who have recently participated in the organization’s acclaimed ArtReach for Older Adults Program. VAM is hosting several art exhibitions this week that showcase the creative works of senior groups including the Region of Peel’s Malton Village Adult Day Centre, Peel Senior Link and Credit Valley Seniors. All are welcome to the Credit Valley Senior’s art exhibit happening today, Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 1pm, at South Common Community Centre located at 2233 South Millway, Mississauga, Ontario. “VAM has had fantastic support for our new program which is designed to enrich the lives of older adults with visual arts,” explains VAM Executive Director Annis Karpenko. “We were pleased to offer four months of subsidized art workshops to seniors with Peel Senior Link, The Region of Peel’s Malton Village Adult Day Centre and the Credit Valley Seniors. We are completing our pilot program by celebrating the accomplishments of our seniors with exhibits at each of our centres.” ArtReach for Older Adults offers exciting art workshops under the guidance of professional artist instructors to older adult centers across the City of Mississauga.  This program has brought the creative experiences offered at VAM out into the community and has inspired and built confidence in individuals that might not have regular access to VAM’s programs. ArtReach for Older Adultsencourages social participation and inclusion for older adults while promoting volunteerism. Check out our new ArtReach for Older Adults Video on Youtube! Click image below: After the success of this pilot program, VAM is pleased to now offer ArtReach for Older Adults to senior clubs and groups throughout the Region of Peel. Groups can book a one-time session (for up to 12 people) for $180, a mini-series (4 sessions) or a full-series (8 sessions). Senior clubs and groups are welcome to visit http://www.visualartsmississauga.com/education/artreach-for-older-adults/, call 905-277-4313 or emailartreach@visualartsmississauga.com for more details. ArtReach for Older Adults is made possible with generous funding provided through the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.  ArtReach for Older Adults is presented with support from the City of Mississauga, Mississauga Seniors Council, Peel Senior Link and the Region of Peel. ABOUT VISUAL ARTS MISSISSAUGA AT RIVERWOOD:  VAM was founded in 1978 and strives to enrich community life by fostering an appreciation of the arts through active involvement in a variety of creative experiences. VAM offers a variety of studio arts courses for adults, teens and children as well as summer camps, school programs, exhibitions, Artsy Parties and ArtReachfor schools and corporate team-building. Please visit www.visualartsmississauga.com for more details. -30- MEDIA CONTACT: Heather Brissenden Community Engagement Coordinator Visual Arts Mississauga at Riverwood 4170 Riverwood Park Lane, Mississauga, ON  L5C 2S7 905.277.4313 outreach@visualaartsmississauga.com www.visualartsmississauga.com

VAM celebrates the accomplishments of the Region of Peel's Malton Village Adult Day Centre.  Malton Village Adult Day Centre seniors explore working with watercolour. "Learning a new creative skill later in life is important for a sense of health and well-being...I hope the program can and will continue!" -P.Z. “Art is so good for the heart and soul. No matter what your ability or lack of” – O. J. Credit Valley Seniors have a great time exploring working with clay. "When you're painting it's impossible to think of anything else.  Very relaxing.  Keeps me out of mischief and happy...Just what seniors need; chews up time (a major enemy of seniors).  Older people need hobbies and interests to keep active, young in mind, and therefore happy." Gordon   Peel Senior Link Older Adults explore working with acrylics. "Let me begin by saying how exciting it was to be a student again, and to learn something new.  Everyone around the table was eager and engrossed." P.A.  “Artreach For Older Adults provides a voice for those who may well have difficulty expressing themselves in many other ways, it is much needed."  – Lynelle

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