A group of seniors from Warszawa (Poland) participated in a 2-day workshop using practical art for seniors with elements of Neurographica. Workshops were led by Daria Sowińska-Milewska, an educator and volunteer from Fundacja Mapa Pasji. Practical art is one of techniques proposed for seniors activation within the ITOSA project.
Description
During the meetings, a short presentation of the ITOSA project’s assumptions was given – its objectives, areas of activity and possibilities for supporting the activation of older people. A method using elements of neurographics was presented as an example of an innovative approach combining art, relaxation and reflection.
The participants performed practical drawing exercises: from lines and intuitive colour to complete neurographic compositions based on resources and associations with the theme of ‘summer rest’. The exercises also included work with geometric shapes (triangle, circle, square), curves and the ‘neurographic line’ technique.
Each meeting included time for a free exchange of reflections and experiences – both on the neurographics method and on personal associations related to creativity. The participants shared their experiences from other forms of artistic activity, discussed the meanings of the drawings and commented on the emotional effects of the work. An atmosphere of openness and mutual listening was encouraged.
The participants praised the form of the classes, how they were conducted and the opportunity to express themselves in a new way. All participants indicated that the classes were understandable, well organised and adapted to their abilities.
Follow-up
After the cycle was completed, the participants were given information on how they could continue working with these types of methods on their own, and materials were provided in the form of a link to resources and a printout of an article. A preliminary proposal was made to continue the meetings in the form of open thematic workshops within the group.