In April, HART expanded its reach into the Bayshore community—bringing new programs, meaningful connections, and creative expression to older adults in the neighborhood. With twelve classes held across Bayshore Library, Bayshore Community Center, and Midway Village, this launch marked more than just a program expansion; it marked the beginning of a shared space for joy, reflection, and belonging.
Hear from Janet Bronson, HART Associate Director:
In a sunlit community center, the soft scratch of pencils on paper and the rhythmic clink of beads can be heard over small chatter and laughter. A quiet story—one of resilience, memory, and joy—unfolds as older adults create art, a practice that not only produces beautiful work but also serves as a vibrant testament to a lifetime of lived experience.
What makes these workshops truly remarkable is not the final product—it’s the process. Art becomes a tool for connection and healing. In group settings, it fosters community and breaks down the isolation that often accompanies aging. In quieter moments, it offers a meditative retreat, a way to reconnect with self and spirit.
And while research continues to show the cognitive and emotional benefits of creative expression in later life—improving memory, reducing stress, and supporting mental well-being—what happens in these rooms goes beyond science. These projects honor the voices and visions of those who have seen the world shift and evolve, and who continue to add to it with grace and color.
As pencils glide across paper and single beads are shaped into form, Bayshore’s older adults remind us: creativity knows no age. Their projects are not just art—they are living, evolving stories, full of wisdom, courage, and connection.
This is the heart of HART’s mission—meeting people where they are, and creating spaces where they can thrive.