Online Art Classes for Older Adults Ease Social Isolation during Pandemic
By Sonya Young
Right in the middle of a community art session for seniors in March 2020, I felt like time stopped. Suddenly, the weekly sessions at Cloverdale Mall would be cancelled until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The instructor received the news via email during the session. As a volunteer for the Arts Etobicoke program, I felt an odd sense of loss. Marjan Verstappen, the instructor, suggested the class could “stock up on art materials during the isolation period”.
How can online programs help seniors with social isolation?
These were unfamiliar phrases a few months ago: isolation, social distance. Now these terms are a part of our daily reality. Social isolation was an issue for older adults before the lockdown. Now seniors’ isolation is a term turned on its head, and its reach is far more tricky to navigate. How can older adults cope with this new world?
Online art programs and classes on Zoom and YouTube are one way to bring connection and routine back into life. Two organizations in Etobicoke, Arts Etobicoke and Neilson Park Creative Centre (NPCC), are using these platforms.
Arts Etobicoke uploads art and craft videos weekly on YouTube. “It is really important to have a purpose and an outlet for their creativity and opportunity to process what we are going through,” Heather Ervin, Development and Communications Manager for Arts Etobicoke said. “The program builds a sense of community even if they can’t see each other. “
“Seniors said they really miss coming to Cloverdale Mall. Now at home, they need to make time to create art at home,” Akshata Naik, Programs and Gallery Manager for Arts Etobicoke, said.
Marjan Verstappen is the instructor and familiar face for these older adults. “I’ve been able to show them some craft activities that we never could’ve done in the studio space such as candle making because of limited tools,” she said.
How can YouTube videos ease isolation for seniors?
With help from Ian Dodds, Communications and Development Coordinator, each weekly YouTube video averages 100 views. “We are impressed with reach of the videos. Our biggest concern was seniors would not be able to access it,” Heather said. “Participants can access the pre-recorded videos anytime. In a regular in-person class, up to 30 could attend.
Sending a link every week, which is also posted on the Arts Etobicoke website, seemed more inclusive than downloading and learning a new program such as Zoom, Verstappen said. “Obviously, the downside is that I don’t have any direct contact with them, so I’m not certain how much we’re helping them cope with isolation.
The process of making art and looking forward to the videos is the main result now. Participants are encouraged to send in photos of their art to show on the YouTube channel, but so far they have not sent pieces in.
“I’ve been hearing some good feedback that participants are sending to Arts Etobicoke,” Verstappen said. For example, participant Vane Plesse stated “I really enjoy art workshops. Keep it coming.”
Every week, Arts Etobicoke staff calls and emails participants for feedback on the program. “They are very curious. They wait for the videos to come in,” Naik said. “They can see the videos on Thursday and do the activity over the weekend.
“Thanks very much for this new art class at home! It is so special to have an outlet in these difficult days. A special thank you to Marjan and Ian for putting these videos together for us,” participant Dianne Phillips said.
Zooming Through Art Classes
Zoom is the online platform for creating artwork at NPCC. “Older Adults are jumping into online classes with both feet. They are happy to do something to engage themselves socially and mentally,” Helen McCusker, a visual artist and a teacher at NPCC, observes. “I’m not quite a full senior at 62, but most of my students are.”
At 49, I am not a senior yet, but as a member of the pastel class, I see first-hand an overall adaption to the new format.
“The online option is almost as good as being there physically — after class I feel like I’ve been with people. I believe the participants are finding that this is a pretty good outlet. It engages them and takes them out of their isolation for a bit,” says McCusker.
“All our teachers are amazing,” Petra Nyendick, Executive Director of Neilson Park Creative Centre, points out. “The classes are going very well and feedback is good.”
“I like on-line classes because you don’t have to pack up all your stuff and lift it into the car. Inevitably the item you need is at home and a lot of the supplies you’ve dragged in for nothing.” Margaret Makaltses, 59, a participant in McCusker’s art class, said.
“It is fun that people from all over can participate. I did one on-line class (not NPCC) where we were put into breakout groups and there were people from all over the world in my group” Makaltses said.
NPCC received a New Horizons for Seniors grant to address social isolation in a time of recommended social distancing / self-quarantine by helping seniors with technology. The grant enables NPCC to offer free online art classes for seniors 60 and over.
Visual artist Marjan Verstappen also teaches an online watercolour class for NPCC. ”I’m impressed with how the participants have committed to learning how to use the technology, but we sometimes spend 10–15 minutes at the beginning of lessons helping people with technology issues. Sometimes we can’t help much, because the program looks very different on different devices, and we’re all learning to use it together.
Students from Humber College are helping with technology issues during the classes. Even so, “there are people who we’re not reaching because there are too many barriers to their participation. (e.g. not comfortable with Zoom, no internet connection, no devices, no support downloading and using Zoom.) Or other barriers like being hard of hearing,” Verstappen said.
Artfully Navigating Through Technology
An art class has several different aspects: slideshow of artworks; demonstration, at an easel, of techniques and exercises; and then talking students individually to see how they’re doing, then a group critique, McCusker explained. “Because the computer screen only shows 9 people at a time, I have to be sure I swipe back and forth so I don’t miss anyone. In a physical class I’d just circle the room and visit one student after another. (On the screen) their work doesn’t show up as well. I ask them to take a photo and send it to me so I can see better what they’ve done. I also can’t sit beside students and show them specifically how to do something on their artwork — that’s the biggest challenge. Words don’t quite do the trick, especially when it’s something subtle,” McCusker said.
Helen’s students on the screen miss the in-person camaraderie. “I like to wander around (in the classroom studio) and socialize and see what other people are doing,” Makaltses said. “It’s nice to get feedback from classmates and just to chat. With on-line you are hyper-focused which can be a bit tiring. In person, there is much more individual instruction from the teachers as well. Also, you can share materials.”
Jamie Gerecke, 74, another student in the NPCC class agrees. “(On Zoom) people talk over each other and some end up waiting quite a while to be acknowledged because of the logistics of the setup. In a regular class, I would be able to see the materials that others are using, perhaps try them out and see if that is something I would like to get for myself. I’d get new ideas for techniques to try.
“All in all, I think that there is value in the online courses, however if there were a choice, I would opt for an in-person course,” Gerecke said.
“In an in-person class we often go around the room and introduce ourselves. With the critiques and the display of individual work, we get to know each other, Beth Jazvac, 74, said.
A boxed grid like the introduction for The Brady Bunch does not make for easy socializing. “On Zoom I want to encourage participants to talk to each other as much as possible, but students are… distracted with background noise, so I mostly request everyone to stay on mute until they have questions. I see this as a missed social opportunity.” Verstappen said.
Technology: Something to Brag On
“Tech support is crucial to a successful program for seniors. Older computers don’t handle new programs as well and often seniors don’t feel it’s worthwhile to spend the money on upgrades or the money isn’t available,” McCusker said.
“The first class in particular, but each class to some extent, there is a good deal of fussing about who is present, how/when to mute, who is speaking,” Student Gerecke observed.
“The biggest pro — especially at this time- is they can be socially and mentally engaged in a public forum without the physical dangers. Perfect for shut-ins and weak immune systems. Also perfect for long-distance learning. I have one student based in BC!” McCusker pointed out.
“I am in a comfortable setting, with no crowding. The travel time is stellar! This is especially important if the course you want to take is not close at hand.” Student Gerecke said.
“If the weather’s bad — it’s not a problem,” McCusker said. “I’m okay with not having to worry if it’s going to snow! Once they figure it out — people are quite proud of themselves that they are technologically savvy. Younger people take their facility with technology for granted, but older adults feel that it is hard-won knowledge and therefore something to brag on.”
“The zoom platform itself hasn’t been a problem — so far as I’ve seen it’s worked as it should. However, some folks have weak connections and some have to play with their lighting so we get a better image. Other students are happy to help with tips they’ve learned to make it work better — I love the democracy of being online.
“Mostly though everything ran smoothly. Petra (NPCC Executive Director) has been extremely pro-active in making sure everyone knows what they are doing. She has been super supportive and patient with us all,” McCusker said.
How can online classes for seniors be beneficial?
Surprising benefits come with on-line classes, Verstappen observed. “When I’m teaching painting on Zoom I have a live video of my hands painting, so participants can watch and paint the same picture along with me. In the classroom, I have to stop students who are working and ask them to come and stand behind me to see the next painting steps. I think the live video is better and participants are finding it easier to follow along. Went I get back to teaching in ‘real life’ I think I’m going to project a live video feed in the classroom,” Verstappen said.
What are some redictions for online classes for seniors?
Technology helps people reach out. The online classes will go on indefinitely, predicts Petra Nyendick, Executive Director of NPCC.
McCusker is on board with the new reality. “Once everyone gets a handle on it, online programming will be a permanent option in the class offerings. Art centres can hold online classes in the evening in addition to in-person classes because many older adults don’t like to drive at night, especially in winter,” she said. “Now we’re all scrambling to keep things working, but eventually this will be a matter of course. Universities and colleges do this already and have been for some time. The pandemic has forced art centres into doing the same.”
“I’m absolutely thrilled and grateful that we are keeping them connected” Nyendick said. “At the Centre they build relationships in person. Three times a week we have resident studios were artists connect online. They are ‘tickled pink’ to see each other online.” In the fall, NPCC plans to offer in-house classes while continuing to offer on-line classes.
Arts Etobicoke will continue online, as well. “We are looking into integrating video offerings in the future,” Ervin said. “We have a large service area and the videos help people connect.”
”Online programs are a good option for seniors who have moved away from their neighbourhood and friends, but still want to be involved with the same community,” Verstappen said. “I can see possibilities for seniors recovering at home from illness or injury, or in long-term care who still want to meet and make art with friends and neighbours. Coming together to make art is an opportunity to build relationships. To me that’s more important than the art getting made.”
This is a “fantastic learning curve for us.” NPCC’s Nyendick said. “And for all of us during a pandemic.”
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Sonya Young is a visual artist and freelance writer living in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada.
