Dauphin County Edition
February 2012
Vol. 14 No. 2
Art Through the Ages By Laura Farnish As an artist for more than four decades, Barbara Warfel’s talent has inspired the young and old alike. “I’ve been bringing art to people ranging in age from 5 to 95 on and off for 40 years,” said Warfel. A gifted painter, Warfel began her career as a high-school art instructor, but her artistic passion is now focused on the opposite end of the generational spectrum. Warfel has been at the forefront of a movement that recognizes the cognitive benefits of art instruction for seniors, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. “My current path is a product of necessity and bringing together three activities I most enjoy,” explained Warfel. “The necessity was to find meaningful employment. The three activities: teaching art, doing art, and enjoying the company of older people.” Thus, Warfel decided to offer art activities for senior citizens residing in assisted living communities. Her first class, which took place in 1998, was at an assisted living facility in Mechanicsburg. “I really enjoyed working with the seniors there, and they responded very positively to art activities,” said Warfel. These activities ranged from holding a pencil properly to drawing lines and writing names on their canvas. The basics, as Warfel described them, remain the key component in her lessons. “I really work hard on starting with very basic processes—literally, how to hold a pencil correctly,” said Warfel. “It’s important they are not working on please see ART page 10 In addition to her work with seniors, Barbara Warfel produces fine art such as Sierra, which she recently completed.
Inside:
Special Insert: 50plus Resource Directory
Leaving Your Legacy page 11