Programs for seniors to explore art

By Logan C. Ritchie

The High Museum of Art is launching a Lifelong Learning series for art fans aged 50 or older with events and classes designed to explore art, exercise creativity and make social connections.

“Atlanta is one of the most rapidly aging cities in the country, and we see an opportunity to reach this growing population in our metro Atlanta area,” said Laurel Humble, head of Creative Aging and Lifelong Learning at the High.

By offering different types of programs oriented toward people with varying levels art experience, museum officials hope to appeal to a people with a variety of learning styles and motivations. A kickoff celebration at the High on June 1 attracted a range of art enthusiasts, from newbies to aficionados.

Humble has spent her career working with adults in museum education. She earned a B.A. in art from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in urban education from City University of New York. Prior to the High, she worked at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York with people with Alzheimer’s disease and their care partners.

After two years of disruption due to COVID, Humble is excited to be launching the program. “In some ways it feels like we’re finally at the moment we hoped for a couple of years ago,” Humble said.

Humble said the High has taken into consideration Lifelong Learning students of all abilities. Assistive listening devices and foldable, lightweight chairs are available by request.

Museums can be tiring places to walk around, even if you’re not covering a lot of ground, Humble said. “We try to share how much distance we’ll be covering and give people the information so they can make an informed decision around their own accessibility,” she said.

Here are some upcoming events planned in July:

“Conversation Pieces”

July 5, 12-12:30 p.m.

Members: Free; Non-members: $16.50. Registration required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum

Museum fellows discuss Howardina Pindell’s watercolor, “Untitled #69.”

Walking tour

July 14, 6-7:30 p.m.

Members: $14; Non-members $18. Reservations required.

Location: BeltLine Eastside Trail

Miranda Kyle, chief curator of art on the Atlanta BeltLine and program manager of arts and culture for Atlanta BeltLine, Inc., leads a walking tour to explore works found alongside the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. The tour covers about two miles of walking. Assistive listening devices will be provided, and

Small group conversation

July 12, 1-2:30 p.m.

Members: $14, Non-members $18. Reservations required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum of Art light-weight collapsible stools may be requested in advance.

“Off the Grid”surveys the High’s collecting areas and offers a look at works by artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds and artistic practices who are unified by their engagement with grids. Stools and assistive listening devices will be provided upon request.

“Conversation pieces”

July 19, 12-12:30 p.m.

Members: Free; Non-members, $16.50. Reservations required.

Location: Taylor Lobby at the High Museum

A museum fellow discusses Abraham Walkowitz’s “Rock and Bathers” in a virtual meeting on Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants.

Short course studio

Tuesdays, July 19-Aug. 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Members: $200; Non-members, $250. Registration required.

Location: Anne Cox Chambers Wing Lobby at the High Museum of Art

Participants in this multi-week studio course will experiment with varied media and draw inspiration from artists featured in the exhibition, “What Is Left Unspoken, Love.” Participants will learn embroidery, textile design, figural sculpting, and found-object collage. Materials will be provided. No prior experience is necessary.