2024: The Year of Building Connections
At Opening Minds through Art (OMA), we believe in the power of creativity to transform lives. In 2024, our team traveled across the country to present at conferences, lead workshops, and create meaningful connections with individuals and organizations.
Conference Presentations
From large gatherings to more intimate meetings, we were able to share our program’s successes, challenges, and aspirations with a diverse range of audiences. These conferences provided us with the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, educators, and advocates, all of whom are committed to improving the quality of life for older adults. Some of the conferences we attended include Gerontological Society of America, LeadingAge, Southern Gerontological Society, Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE), Ohio Arts Council, and The Eden Alternative.
Each conference presentation showcased the strength and resilience of the OMA and ScrippsAVID programs and inspired others to bring art-based initiatives into their communities. These events allowed us to not only raise awareness about our work but also learn from others, gathering new ideas and practices that we can integrate into our own program.
Workshops
This year we were fortunate to collaborate with five organizations to host workshops that shared the values and person-centered aspects of the program. These workshops provided a hands-on approach to learning the OMA principles and the ease of creating beautiful abstract art projects. The organizations we lead workshops for included:
Charleston, SC
Oxford, OH
Montgomery, AL
- Liberty Senior Living (workshop provided in partnership with Age-U-Cate Training Institute)
- Claude Pepper Center at Florida State University
- Lincoln Center Moments
- Respite for All (workshop supported by Arthur N. Rupe Foundation)
- Grandparents Collegeat Miami University
New Offerings
In 2024, we debuted two new endeavors: Virtual Playtime and Connect & Create. The goal of these initiatives was to strengthen our OMA community in a variety of ways.
During virtual playtimes, OMA facilitators had the opportunity to “play” and test new projects with OMA staff, while also having an opportunity to network and share ideas. With over 1,250 facilitators globally, our OMA team sees the value of supporting connections between facilitators around the world to share successes, address barriers, and create new partnerships. The OMA team hosted five virtual playtimes and 122 facilitators registered to join us online to test projects. We’re planning to continue these playtimes into the new year and beyond. Starting with the 20 original projects in the facilitator binder, we will eventually offer new projects. The virtual playtime is a reminder of the power of technology to bring people together, no matter where we are located. The facilitators’ feedback from these sessions helps to refine and enhance projects for the communities we serve.
Connect & Create began at the 2024 OAGE annual meeting and offered conference participants a mindful activity between back-to-back sessions. The project centered on Wassily Kandinsky’s Color Study: Squares with Concentric Circles. Individuals created their own 3×3 inch square using watercolors, which were assembled into a larger piece, showcasing the work we do is always better when we come together. Going forward, we hope to continue this collaboration with OAGE, as well provide the service at other conferences.
Looking Forward
As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the many opportunities we’ve had to connect with partners, share our work, and learn from others. The OMA team remains committed to expanding our reach and impact, and we are excited about the future possibilities for our program. This past year also set a path for a variety of exciting new projects to be launched in 2025, including membership opportunities, development of an OMA university model, and piloting OMA at-home kits.
Here’s to another year of growth, creativity, and connection!
