Creative Aging workshops are free, professionally run programs by the Brooklyn Public Library’s Services for Older Adults, with a focus on social engaging and learning new skills. Each series runs approximately 8-10 weeks ending with a final celebration where participants share their accomplishments with their family, friends, and community.
The Covid-19 global health crisis caused the Brooklyn Public Library to suspend
all contact activities. This led to our workshops and classes being conducted
virtually, to continue engaging our seniors in the programs they enjoy.
Utilizing Zoom - which has become the leader in teleconferencing, distance
education, and social relations – Creative Aging was able to bring ‘Let's Paint
with Watercolor’ to our participants…and it was an amazing experience!
The works being displayed in this virtual gallery are the culmination of the nine week series taught remotely by the teaching artist, Nigel Morgan. The class
explored landscapes, seascapes, still life and nature images using various watercolor
painting methods. Nigel set up a website (urartclass.com) for the class participants to access
drawing tools and technique samples as well as the images that were used for
each week’s instruction.
During the class time, students were encouraged to share their artwork by
holding them up to their cameras and, while in gallery view, Nigel was able to
choose several students’ artwork to comment on and offer tips and pointers for
improvement.
Students were given homework assignments at the end of each class and were
encouraged to email their completed assignments to Nigel for posting onto the
class website. Critiquing of the submitted assignments took place at the
beginning of the next class.
Each class participant was encouraged to submit two paintings for our
culminating event: one “never before seen” image and one previously submitted
for homework.
Thank you to everyone that participated and shared their artwork here on this
virtual platform. Please share this exhibit with your family and friends, and
we look forward to seeing you again at the next art workshop!
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Thank you BPL, Lyman, Judith, our sponsors at Apple Bank and Everyone involved in Creative Aging for this great opportunity...it has been a wonderful experience teaching and engaging with the students. I hope to have the opportunity to teach many more classes.
