Building bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art
LIVE Webinar on How to Do OMA Virtually
April 26, 2021
12:30 - 2:00 PM ET
During the most isolating time in history, nursing homes and assisted living residents have been experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic more than any other population. In Richmond, Virginia, rather than shut down the OMA program entirely, Art for the Journey (AFJ) continued to partner with St. Mary’s Woods Retirement Community (SMW) and co-created a “Virtual OMA" program. Together, AFJ and SMW implemented two virtual versions of OMA, each of which required planning, testing, and creativity. The OMA program runs weekly and pairs elders with university students, bringing joy, engagement, and connection to both. Students working in dorm rooms team up, family members have provided notes of gratitude, and elders speak with joyful words, sing, create, and produce beautiful art!

AFJ would like to share:
  • How to create virtual OMA
  • Provide step by step instructions for planning
  • IT and technology needs
  • What we learned about what works and what doesn’t

A $35 donation to Art for the Journey is requested to attend the live webinar. Attendees will receive the recording of webinar after attending. As a part of the question and answer session, Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, Founder of OMA, will attend.
OMA Facilitator Training in 2021
Join us for one of our training opportunities in 2021! We have a fully online option with live meetings OR a hybrid option, combining online training and an in-person practicum.
Fully Online:
  • Beginning May 31st
  • Beginning September 27th

Hybrid Training:
  • May 31 - June 25 online & July 20-21 in Canal Fulton, OH
  • July 19 - August 13 online & August 26 - 27 in Richmond, VA
Grants available for 12 Ohio Nursing Homes
*Image taken before COVID-19 Restrictions
Grants from the Ohio Department of Medicaid are available to nursing homes with Medicaid certification interested in implementing OMA to meet their Quality Improvement Project (QIP) requirement. Selected nursing homes will partner with universities educating future healthcare professionals and receive scholarships for two staff members to attend OMA training, valued at $1500, plus an art supply budget of $2000. Fully online and hybrid training are available.
You're Invited to the 2021 Gen2Gen Virtual Showcase
*Image taken before COVID-19 Restrictions
SAVE THE DATE: June 22 afternoon.
Join the Gen2Gen Innovation Showcase, a virtual event organized by Encore.org as the culminating event of the year-long Gen2Gen Innovation Fellowship. All 15 Fellows, including Dr. Lokon, OMA's founder and director, will share their work in 3-minute pitches. The theme of the event is cogeneration—where people of all ages come together to create a better future for all. More details will be forthcoming.
Art idea: How to Deliver Art Kits
The pandemic did not stop residents at Kavod Senior Life in Denver, CO, to continue the OMA program. Holly Sherman (OMA trained facilitator class of 2021) worked with Counseling graduate students from Regis University to deliver OMA over Zoom. Holly carefully prepared each week's art supply kits and delivered them to Kavod residents. Learn how Holly prepared OMA art kits for delivery.
Featured OMA Student Alumna: Casey Pax
This quarter we featured Casey Pax, an OMA student alumna and facilitator, and an art therapist at The Mather. We asked her about her journey with OMA, what she's up to now, and how she has used OMA in her work.

Congratulations, Casey!
OMA's Founder Featured in a Podcast Episode
OMA Founder Elizabeth "Like" Lokon was featured in an episode of The Art of Aging podcast. Hear more about what led her to create the program and from a community who has implemented the program.
Connect With Us
Phone: (513) 529-2914