The Arts and Well-Being: Joy

Portable Happiness

When Jim Zartman, one of the Village’s founders, retired from his law practice in the mid 90’s, he took some classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music. After 12 sessions, he had mastered the harmonica. He carries it with him and when the occasion arises, will take it out of his pocket and play. For those who have witnessed it, there is something so engaging and joyous about his ability to bring instant music to any setting. While dining out with wife Kathy, people are frequently surprised and delighted when he joins in to accompany their singing of the birthday song.

 

Jim and Kathy recently moved to The Admiral and having made friends with a woman whose husband was in Memory Care, Jim decided to start playing for the those residents on Tuesday afternoons which he now does virtually every week. According to Jim, this program has had a very positive impact on the residents.

Sometimes he also brings his violin (or as he calls it, his fiddle) and is contemplating brushing up on his banjo playing to keep both himself and the residents engaged with music. It’s easy to do because he had the foresight to take up an instrument he can carry around in his pocket!

"Motion Frozen in Time"

By Mary Gray Kaye

Walk around Chicago and you are never far from Joe Loundy’s world – the world of Art Deco. The Carbide & Carbon Building, The Board of Trade, The Civic Opera, the Merchandise Mart are right in front of you to admire. The Board of Trade, probably the best-known example in Chicago, has a classic exterior and many aspects of the lobby – the floors, light fixtures, and elevator doors -- are exquisite Art Deco.

Village member Joe Loundy is immediate past president and board member of the Chicago Art Deco Society. His interest, beginning in the mid-eighties, goes beyond architecture. He spearheaded the development of the Society’s recently published book, Art Deco Chicago – Designing Modern America which uniquely focuses on a broad range of the style: e.g., furniture, textiles, lighting, graphic design, decorative objects, commercial and industrial applications – all of which illustrate Chicago’s important contribution to the evolution of Art Deco design.

When asked what it is about Art Deco that inspires him, he replied, "There are several design themes associated with Art Deco that I find particularly attractive. One is the feeling of motion frozen in time. Sometimes this is conveyed in images such as fountains or sunbursts. In other instances it’s created by strong vertical and/or horizontal lines that invite the eye to move upward or forward."

Art Deco emerged in France in the twenties and by the thirties had gained worldwide popularity, the first truly international design. To see foreign interpretations of Art Deco, Joe has traveled extensively - to Cape Town, New York, Melbourne, Montreal, Havana, Shanghai, Paris, and Tel Aviv. This fall he will attend a World Congress on Art Deco in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, another trip in pursuit of knowledge and beauty.

"Art Changed My Life"

By Laurel Baer

About four years ago, Village Board member Gail Moss created a photography exhibit that was shown at the Notebaert Nature Museum. Gail obtained a digital "Critter Cam" for her dog, Shelby, and for a year, they both took pictures on their daily walks in the park and around the pond – in all seasons and at all times of the day. The result was over 400 pictures from two different perspectives. Shelby’s camera captured things that Gail’s could not - a tiny nest containing a baby mouse; and flashes of pure color as the dog ran past flowers. 

The Notebaert mounted an exhibit calling it "Our Daily Wanders," rounding it out with poetry written by Gail and the museum staff. It was there for three months and, Gail says, "Kids loved it!"

This photography was just one way in which art changed her life. It all began about ten years ago when Gail was pursuing painting as a hobby. She went to the Art Institute with her portfolio to see about taking a few classes and was told that her work was so good she should pursue a degree in Fine Arts and Painting – which she did. Gail already had two degrees and had enjoyed careers in both teaching and real estate development when she obtained this third degree that changed her life.

Gail says, "Becoming a student again - especially with younger people - brought me new, good friends who also love art, new interests, and a new outlook on life." This has had an impact on her family as well. In fact, she is on her way to Florida to be with her son, a retired attorney who is now a licensed fishing boat captain and they are off to the Everglades to photograph scenery, wildlife and landscapes together.

My New Adventure

By Joan Goldstein

"I’ve long been an art collector and appreciator, but never much of a practitioner beyond some ceramic classes years back. I was never very good at it or able to sustain the interest. Then, about five years ago, my sister gave me colored pencils and an adult coloring book. I loved the coloring activity. It led me to want to try drawing from scratch, so to speak, but I had no idea how to begin. Fortunately, I found a colored pencil drawing class near my winter home in Boca Raton, Florida. I bought my prescribed supplies, went to my first class, and, in response to the instructor's question about my art background, mentioned the coloring books. I thought she was going to faint! That was not art.

"However we both persevered and I followed her lesson plan to study the colors, pencil strokes, layering, etc. My first independent piece, was a drawing of king penguins from a photograph I had taken on South Georgia Island. Thus began my passion for colored pencil drawing, always using my own photographs from my travels as my subjects. My art class is my happy place. My drawing has become a vital source of pleasure and accomplishment."

The Arts and Well-Being: Self-Expression

"Painting Keeps Me Going"

By Laurel Baer

One of the most important things in member Paula Weiner’s life has alway been art and painting. Changes in her life have made it difficult for her to do, but she still does it almost every day.

Paula is living with Parkinson’s and is now less able to hold a pen or pencil but can still hold a paintbrush. She lives at Wesley Place and her room is not large enough to set up what she needs to paint so she goes downstairs to another location with the help of volunteers and interns from the Art Institute. Paula says, "It’s not easy, but the feeling I get while painting usually outweighs any frustration. It keeps me in touch with other people here - they watch me paint and we talk."

Paula paints with acrylics, oils and watercolors. She is now doing a lot of abstracts which really allow her the freedom to experiment with how she is feeling in the moment. She likes to have people turn them to see if they look better from another direction. She is also painting portraits of other residents and employees of Wesley place and they have hung some of her artwork in common areas which makes her feel valued, and inspires conversation. This sharing aspect of her art is important to Paula. It is a way for her to be connected to others at this time in her life.

"Art keeps me going" she says. "Because I started years ago, it is important to me and my life and will always be. It’s the one thing that I really just like to do. If there is a paintbrush in my hand, I am painting. It keeps me in touch with life."

Jazz Piano

By Joan Goldstein

Village member Carol Rosofsky’s mother was a concert pianist. She and her siblings all took piano lessons and music has always been in her life. She did not really play while in school and once she was married and raising her children, but always had a grand piano in the house. She discovered distance learning and began to play with her lessons-by-phone. This gave her new confidence and the desire to learn more. She found a teacher at the Merit Music School of Chicago, Steve Million, a jazz pianist. The jazz piano was hard but when her grandson started drumming and a friend went to the music school too, she dug in. She found that she still had the muscle memory to play. Though she no longer takes lessons, she can think of a chord and her fingers move there. Her hope for the future is to maintain that muscle memory. Even though she says she is not good, playing makes her happy. It evokes memories of her mother as well.

Getting Out of the Comfort Zone

By Joan Goldstein

Village member Rosalie Meyers is a psychiatric social worker by training who has always been a visual artist as well. She spent a number of years selling fine artwork and jewelry for several retailers in Chicago before retiring. She also has made and sold her own jewelry through the years. In the past, she played piano and has always done creative things using her hands. She says "I am not accomplished at any one thing, but I just enjoy learning and working with my hands." She has taken lots of classes in various media, many at Lillstreet Art Center. Her current pursuits are focused on hand-built ceramics, which she takes at Lillstreet, and figure drawing, which she takes at Palette and Chisel to help her with proportion and creating human figures in ceramic. All of her study is part of a healthy process to get her out of her comfort zone. While being totally engrossed and absorbed in doing her artwork, she finds that the world beyond goes away. She leaves her classes feeling invigorated. That it is enjoyable and gives her pleasure is all that matters.

The Arts and Well-Being: Health

Art and the Brain

In 2001, the National Endowment for the Arts and The George Washington University conducted a national Creativity and Aging Study to measure the impact of professionally conducted community-based cultural programs on the general health, mental health, and social activities of people age 65 and older. One- and two-year follow up revealed strikingly positive differences, with participants reporting (A) better health, fewer doctor visits, and less medication usage; (B) more positive responses on mental health measures; (C) more involvement in overall activities. 

Specific studies on how music affects the brain indicate that musical training and habitual engagement with music can help the brain enhance its natural neuroplasticity and improve countless abilities and cognitive skills. Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how its circuits are wired.

Environments filled with novelty, focused attention, and challenge are critical for promoting neuroplasticity, and can provoke growth and positive adaptation throughout life (Kempermann et al., 2002; Vemuri et al., 2014).

It’s encouraging to know that activities which give so much pleasure are actually good for us!

Art and Music Therapy

by Bruce Hunt

Here are some specific ways in which art and music therapy can impact overall and cognitive health.

Theresa Dewey is an art therapist who works with the Alzheimer’s Association. Theresa is excited that some of the recent neurological research explains what she has observed in her practice. For example:

Art therapist and author Amanda Alders Pike proposes a set of strategies in her book Improving Memory through Creativity. She notes that two kinds of factors affect cognitive performance: genetic factors which may be addressed medically, and lifestyle factors which may be addressed through increasing mental stimulation, reducing stress and improving socialization and mood.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Music therapist Becky Freiman describes her role as "...an odd health practice that uses music to work on non-musical goals."

The Arts and Well-Being: Community

Meet Jonathan Miller

by Laurel Baer

Several Village members know Jonathan Miller as the director and co-founder of the Sounds Good! and Good Memories choirs. He is also artistic director of Chicago a Cappella, the virtuoso professional ensemble that he founded in 1993. And, he is a singer, published and recorded composer and arranger, synagogue cantor and worship leader, producer, and passionate spokesperson for the power of choral music. 

"Choral singing is the only human activity where people are uttering the same words, in the same rhythm, on the same or harmonious tones, at the same time." Jonathan says. No wonder people who sing together form such bonds.

The Sounds Good! Choir began in Chicago in 2016 as part of the Encore Chorale program. Now independent, with seven groups in the Chicago area, the singers are taught breath control and other vocal techniques, so that aging voices can join together to perform a robust, challenging repertoire, and in Jonathan’s words, "..expect to be superb!"

Last year, Jonathan and his wife Sandy co-founded the Good Memories Choir – a group comprised of individuals with dementia, their care partners, and volunteer singers. Jonathan says, "In addition to singing beautifully, this group is dedicated to combating the stigma and isolation that frequently follow a diagnosis of dementia. Among the most isolated of this population are those recently diagnosed and living at home." He went on to explain, "One day you are a just living your life and the next, you are suddenly identified as someone else, and the tendency is to withdraw." 

The Good Memories singers bonded very quickly and very strongly. In addition to the joy of singing together, there is a shared sense of loss that is always there, but in an atmosphere of complete acceptance. Jonathan says, "After only three weeks singing together, they had become a tribe!"

Jonathan will be the auctioneer at the Village’s 10th anniversary celebration and benefit on June 4. Please join us to support the Village and get to know this energetic, committed and highly entertaining gentleman.

A Community of Singers

By Laurel Baer

Singing is an all-season endeavor for Village member Jacquie Falk, who sings with the Sounds Good! Choir – a choral group for people over 55. Singing has been a part of her life since childhood- she began singing and acting professionally at age three. Performing has been vital throughout her life and still makes her happy.

When Jacquie first heard about the choir, she wanted to join so both the Village and the choir stepped up to sponsor her membership for which she is so grateful. Explaining why she loves it so much, Jacquie says, "I have done lots of choral work and Dr. Jonathan Miller is the best Choirmaster I have ever sung with. As a result, the finished product is first rate and something I am very proud of."

"In addition," she says, "the seven choirs are providing beautiful concerts to the entire metropolitan area, three times a year, absolutely free of charge – a gift that brings people together to enjoy a wonderful activity."

And there is also the community that develops within the choir. Members support and celebrate each other’s life events. Jacquie says, "The choir is a community with a common purpose. People stay with it once they start. The rehearsal schedule isn’t overwhelming and everyone cooperates by rehearsing on their own at home. We all love to sing. It inspires joy."

Mel and Movies

by Joan Goldstein

Mel Washburn has loved movies since he was a kid watching what he calls "not-so-great" old movies on TV at night. At the University of Chicago, he discovered the Doc student film society, where he saw the great black and white American films from the 30’s and 40’s. Mel says "I always liked movies but I was particularly drawn to classic films." He continued attending and running film programs throughout his life, including two programs for the Village.

He feels that the best thing he has done was to start the Saturday Afternoon at the Movies program for the Village. Members gather at the Century Theater to view current movies that have been shown at festivals. He also started a film program at the Admiral where he selects movies available on DVD that he saw long ago, liked and figures others will like too. In both groups, discussion follows the showings so Mel can further engage others. He loves good and intelligent story-telling with characters that count, that make you pay attention and listen, that are well-done and engage the intellect and emotions. For him, seeing, sharing and talking about film is a lifelong passion.

An Art Lover and Guide

by Mary Gray Kaye

Visitors from all over the world come to the Art Institute during their visits to Chicago. It is a prime "must do." Its reputation pervades. You may be from Kalamazoo or Karachi and as you study the map of exhibits, you may be fortunate enough to be greeted by a woman who has been to your town, has experienced your festivals, or has heard about your people. She is particularly adept at picking those new to Chicago or new to art.

That is Village member Stefanie Clark who is there to make your art experience as grand as it can be. She has "go-anywhere" status at the museum and can direct you to any and all exhibits that interest you. She has studied most of them in depth.

Stefanie has been available to Art Institute visitors for two and a half years. She spots them as they walk through the door. She is comfortable with them all - Chicago natives or newcomers to art - and eager to share her familiarity with the museum. She wants them to remember their visit, to come back again, and bring their neighbors and friends. She feels responsible for the success of the public’s familiarity with the collection here. Her years in Chicago have been enhanced by the availability of the treasures in the Art Institute and she wants to give back to art what it has given to her. Sharing her appreciation and knowledge is her way of doing that.

The Village Arts Committee

The Village arts committee is a group of volunteers who want to build community around members’ shared interest in the arts. 

Last year, they mounted an exhibit of Village artists’ work at the Admiral which included painting, sculpture, prints, collages and more – a successful event they hope to repeat. They also have organized gallery tours and a Salon Series in people’s homes such as one featuring the poet Lucia Blinn reading and discussing her poetry. One of their goals is to create more events in which members can participate such as workshops and other learning opportunities. 

When asked why this is so important, committee co-chair Jackie Zevin expressed the notion that art is important for mental and emotional well-being. "Art takes you to another place. When you are experiencing it, you stop thinking about anything else. It exposes you to new thoughts and ideas. It’s a risk-free place to learn problem-solving and to express your emotions and your creativity."

If you would like to join the Arts Committee, please call the Village office at 773.248.8700 or email us at [email protected].

"Sounds of Healing"

Chicago Methodist Senior Services has been a Village sponsor since 2014. They are a wonderful partner and we have participated in many programs with them – such as a recent event with Dr. Edward G. Shaw co-author of Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade, who discussed strategies to minimize the erosion of the emotional bond between the person with dementia, their family and care partners. 

About three months ago, CMSS began integrating therapeutic music into resident care with the launch of the "Sounds of Healing" program. Music Director Henri Harps says, "Therapeutic music differs from music therapy in that therapeutic music is the use of music to improve physical, emotional, or mental well-being. Our goal at CMSS to integrate therapeutic music into resident's care plans to further our commitment to person-centered care. It combines the new knowledge coming from contemporary research on brain neuroplasticity with music’s innate power to create spiritual and emotional engagement."

Once a month, each memory care resident’s quality of life is evaluated in several dimensions by the Medical Director, the Director of Nursing, caregivers, and the social services and arts departments. Music is now one of the tools used to help residents manage stress, alleviate pain and create connections. The staff visits with the resident to learn what their experience with music has been and what music is in their memory. The result can be anything from a curated playlist for them enjoy, to teaching piano to staff members which is currently being done by a resident. 

CMSS can trace its roots back to 1896, when Mrs. E.E. Hartwell rented a six-room flat in Chicago to provide housing for elderly women in need. Over the years, they’ve expanded their community and residential services which now include four permanent and temporary residences delivering services that include daycare, assisted living, rehab and memory care. 

The Village is proud of our long-lasting relationship with CMSS – two organizations with missions closely aligned - and look forward to future collaborations as community partners.

Rachel Barton Pine to Perform at The Village Chicago's 10 ^th Anniversary Celebration and Benefit

Spectacular experiences to be auctioned!

Click here to see a sneak peek of the full list of auction items and find something just for you!