Arts & Minds: A Showcase for Creative Aging
Our vision at SJFS incorporates the creative arts to build an aging – and dementia friendly community. In April 2024, SJFS launched a travelling art show to circulate in community locations throughout CNY. The Show illustrates the varied art media that can be used and how these can open the spirit to aesthetic and meaningful self-expression in later life. The showcase features artwork from elder artists in SJFS’s arts-in-aging and arts-in-dementia programs including M-Power U (MPU) Arts and Minds Community and Opening Minds Through Art (OMA). Accompanying the showcase is a video about how elders achieve meaning and wellbeing as they develop artistic identity and self-expression within the context of their memory loss.
Current Showcase Location
St. James’ Church in Skaneateles : March 3 – 31 2025
SYR Community Art Program at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR): November 2024 – October 2025
Located by the exit in Terminal B
Upcoming Showcase Locations:
Upstate Institute for Human Performance : April 8 – 17 2025
St. Peter’s Church in Cazenovia : May 5 – 27 2025
Upstate Nappi Wellness Institute : June 2025
Onondaga Free Library : July 1 – 31 2025
Redhouse Arts Center : August 2025
Community Library of Dewitt & Jamesville : September 2 – October 31 2025
New Woodstock Free Library : November – December 2025
*Please contact host locations for building hours open to the public.
Past Showcase Locations
Menorah Park of CNY
The Nottingham
Jordan-Elbridge Community Center
Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church
Art in the Atrium
The Oaks
Sherrill-Kenwood Free Library
Oneida Lake Arts & Heritage Center
Alzheimer’s Association of Central New York Dementia Care Conference 2024
Senior Citizen Appreciation Day at Rosamond Gifford Zoo
Got a public space? You can host the showcase!
Host the showcase at your facility or program and help disrupt ageism – and promote your own arts programming! We supply free standing display panels (or we can use your available wall space), customizable newsletters, press releases, flyers, and a speaker for a reception or other event.
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
For more information on viewing the showcase or becoming a host contact Arts & Minds Coordinator, Hannah Pietra at pietrah@sjfs.org or call 315-446-9111 x130