Fifteen Creative Aging Project participants worked through the creative process to design and create a 20 SF mosaic mural entitled “As Life Flows” that will be permanently installed at the Damascus Senior Center in Montgomery County, Maryland. The collaborative creative process involved participants in all aspects of the mural making project from concept and design to construction, gluing and grouting. Students learned and mastered fused glass and mosaic techniques through a scaffolded process as they problem-solved, worked as a team and collectively made artistic decisions to create a permanent collaborative mural that leaves behind a visual legacy.
In addition to the artistic practice the workshop sessions were filled camaraderie, great conversations, music and much laughter.
The lead artist for the project, Carien Quiroga is an alumna of the
Creative Aging micro-credential course offered by Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms with Lifetime Arts. The project was funded by a grant from Maryland Centers for Creative Classrooms/Maryland State Arts Council.
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We explored ways to visually express our ideas into a cohesive mural design.
• Explored glass as an artistic medium, learning both fused glass and mosaic techniques.
• Participants learned fused glass and mosaic techniques by creating smaller elements that were integrated into the larger mosaic mural.
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Participants expanded on their mosaic making skills and techniques and elevated their artistry.
• Participants continuously evaluated visual elements and adjusted the design and/or their artistic approach.
• Collaboration and collective decision-making were central to the project.
• Once the mural was completed students reflected on the creative process and brainstormed a title for the work and wrote a collective artist statement.
• The students reflected on what they liked, learned, would change about the project and what they were proud of in a written activity.
• An unveiling of the mural was held at the Damascus Senior Center on 12th October 2022. The artists had the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishment with their community and talk about their experience and artistic collaboration.
