Fighting senior isolation with art

By Chris Jones/The Oshawa Express

With social isolation being most prevalent among seniors, local organizations are working together to get older adults out of the house.

Art Your Service and the Robert McLaughlin Gallery are hosting the Young at Art Seniors Dance and Social on Sunday, Oct. 6, between 1 and 3 p.m.

The event was planned by Wendy Vincent Communications and Art Your Service’s Jen Tindall, and the RMG.

“[We] decided to pitch this to the RMG because we wanted to do something for local Durham seniors, and since social isolation is rampant among senior citizens, we want to do something that would bring everybody together so they could connect and have fun,” says Tindall.

In response to social isolation among seniors, Art Your Service develops programming such as Young at Art.

Tindall started Art Your Service in 2018, and offered the first program in January 2019.

Young at Art is the first social event which Art Your Service will be hosting.

Local seniors will get the chance to attend curator-led discussions about art at the RMG.

There will also be live music, dance lessons, a DJ, and a sing-along at the end.

“It’s a great thing for everybody to get together and have fun,” says Tindall. “It also just shows that seniors are a priority for us here in Durham Region.”

Ward 4 city councillor Derek Giberson will be providing remarks at the beginning of the event.

“Basically we just want everybody to come and have fun together,” she says.

Tindall says they chose the gallery in part because of its convenient location.

“It’s such a great gathering spot,” she explains. “We just thought it’s an interesting place for people to gather in, so it’s not just a boring hall. There’s stuff to look at, things to engage with, and different ways to engage your senses.”

Tickets cost $5 per person, and can be obtained by e-mailing info@artyourservice.org, or by calling 416-722-0608.

The RMG is located at 72 Centre Street.