Art classes help seniors

Art classes in a retirement village are helping residents address social isolation and rediscover passions.

The Mairangi Arts Centre has been running satellite art classes at a Aria Bay Retirement Village.

Among the retirees were both those who have painted before and those who had not.

Resident Russell Simpson had previously belonged to an art class, about a decade ago, and said he simply picked up where he left off.

‘‘We’ve largely been left to our own devices,’’ Simpson said.

The classes had been made possible by a grant from the

Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, which covered materials.

Joy Libeau was new to art and said the class was a ‘‘wonderful opportunity’’.

‘‘I’ve always taken my kids to the art gallery and thought I might one day pick up a paintbrush. I didn’t know it would happen.’’

Mairangi Arts Centre general manager Angela Suh hoped the programme would continue and even act as pilot.

She said the classes acted as a way for people to ‘‘rediscover their passions’’ and address social isolation.

The art will be exhibited at the rest home for friends and family on November 15. Suh hoped it would also commemorate the former Aria Bay manager Pam Lannie, who died suddenly last month.

SUPPLIED Two tutors from Mairangi Arts Centre taught abouteith to 10 students per week.