Everyday Arts in Later Life: Presentation and Discussion

Event Details

Discover the joy and benefits of creativity in later life! This presentation by folklorist and creative-aging researcher Jon Kay, invites attendees to explore how everyday arts practices—such as quilting, woodcarving, crochet, music making, gardening, cooking, collecting, and more—can enrich elder well-being.

The presentation highlights how creative pursuits help older adults resist what experts call the “three plagues of aging”: isolation, boredom, and helplessness. Through stories, examples, and practical tips, Kay demonstrates how engaging in “everyday arts” can strengthen social bonds and bring a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in later life.

After the presentation, Kay will lead a discussion encouraging attendees to discover their own creative practice. Whether you want to adopt a new hobby, revive an old one, or maintain the creative practice you already have, this session offers both information and inspiration. You’ll learn strategies for identifying an art form that is right for you, and you’ll leave the workshop with a toolkit of activities designed to keep you socially active and creatively fulfilled.

Join us and discover how later life can be a time of meaningful growth, connection, and purpose! The program is presented jointly by Indiana Humanities and Indiana University’s Traditional Arts Indiana. As a special thank-you, all participants will receive a free copy of Everyday Arts in Later Life, a book highlighting the role of creativity as we age.