Debut Art for Life classes a success

A big congratulations to the students of HoMA’s first Art for Life classes, which were held Jan. 11 to March 17 at the Art School. Adults age 55 and better learned how to paint with watercolors, hand-dye shibori and hand-build ceramics. And in Art for Life classes, just as important as developing art skills, are the connections and camaraderie made, helping to boost well-being.

Art for Life classes culminate with an exhibition on the Art School mezzanine—a way to celebrate students’ work. At the opening reception on April 13, HoMA Director and CEO thanked students for participating in the new program, as well as everyone who helped make Art for Life a reality.

Art for Life is supported by E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, which is dedicated to funding programs that build community and spark creativity, and its Vitality Arts initiative does that with a focus on pushing back against ageism. In January 2023, the nonprofit selected the Honolulu Museum of Art as one of 16 art museums across the country to receive a grant to create a program tailored for museum goers who are 55 years or older. With the $250,000 grant, HoMA developed Art for Life to engage older adults in the process of artistic creation to cultivate social, emotional and physical well being.

“My painting class started when I was searching for something to fill the losses in my life,” said Art for Life watercolor student Donna Kawakami. “Without art, I would not have survived.” (See her study of flowers in a vase below.)

Research into aging consistently shows that opportunities for active participation and social engagement are important components of helping people stay healthy mentally and physically.

The Art School recently underwent upgrades to make it more accessible and welcoming for all students. Thanks to a $126,945 grant from the City and County of Honolulu’s Grants in Aid program, which supports programs that address community needs, the Art School updated the building’s access ramp, which was previously a steep challenge for older adults. The grant also allowed the museum to build a temporary ramp to ensure uniterrupted access during construction. In addition, the nonprofit Hawai‘i Public Health Institue invited HoMA to join its Kupuna Collective initiative, which addresses critical issues for the state’s older adults and leads innovate active aging strategies.

Last year, HoMA Art School teaching artists and administrators participated in a two-day training with Vitality Arts educators, learning best practices to design and implement creative aging classes.

The next round of Art for Life classes starts in July. Registration begins May 15 at honolulumuseum.org/art-for-life.