Most refrigerators in the kitchens of today's families are plastered with the zany, affectionate and colorful renderings of the children who live there. The art represents their ideas and feelings about family and friends, displayed in colorful testimony to the individual creative spirit. In the lives of many of today's seniors, the work ethic dominated their domestic landscapes. Art and the process of self expression were not generally found in school curriculums. Just surviving and making a living were the primary objectives for many. The experience of creating art, according to Paula Hardy, director for Eastside Adult Day Services (EADS) in Issaquah, can be uplifting and transforming. That's why Hardy has included an activity called "Seniors Making Art" in the group's weekly schedule. The program is two hours long each Monday morning. Each client at EADS paints or draws a project for that day and, Hardy pointed out, they are always proud of their work. "This is a very new experience for many of them who never had the

time or the luxury to be creative. (They) had to support a family and work," said Hardy. "Some seniors have enjoyed creative and artistic abilities over their lifetime and some haven't. If they have a dementia, or have suffered an illness or a stroke that has impaired their freedom, they might not be verbal but they can express themselves through that medium. "It doesn't require perfection, skills or knowledge. Everyone's work is accepted and appreciated, not judged or critiqued." "Seniors Making Art" is a non-profit organization that was developed into an outreach program for seniors. It originally was conceived and founded by glassblower Dale Chihuly. The renowned artist watched the difference it made in the life of his own mother, who eventually went to live in a nursing home. When she could be creative, he noticed her quality of life was greatly enhanced. Giving EADS clients an opportunity to create a painting or a design on tile can lead to increased self-esteem and skill building, according to Hardy. "I see surprise for some people that they actually created something," said Hardy. "It can be simple and beautiful. It's not as difficult as they think. Often they say, 'Oh, I'm not an artist,' or 'I can't draw' in the beginning. For some, it is a challenge but I always see pride coming out." Because so many of

the participants at EADS have such different motor skill levels and mental abilities, Hardy said that art is an activity that seniors can do individually. In addition to the art program, the daily schedule includes exercise, listening to once famous radio shows and personal time to write or reflect on however they may feel that day. Hardy said that many caretakers bring their older loved ones to the center because they do not get the stimulation they need in their home settings. The center averages 16 clients per day. Coming to the center also gives caretakers a break by providing respite care for them as they attempt to manage their home and work lives. "We're here to provide a service for caretakers and their loved ones," Hardy said. "A majority of our clients come from private homes. A client may come to our program anywhere from one to three times a week up to five times a week for up to four to five hours a day. "It just depends on what they need. We bridge the gap between a senior center and an assisted living center." While mental and physical functions have declined for these clients, Hardy believes that the art program at EADS gives them new information about skills they may never have discovered.