The power of the arts can connect individuals to self, to each other, and to places called home. In a culminating celebration of the Brush and Pen Creative Aging program held in the Big Cottonwood Room at Holladay City Hall, the Holladay Arts Council recognized students aged 55 and above. Participants were honored for their exploratory journey of self and the world, as expressed through reflective writing and expressive watercolor painting. The workshop was a testament to the idea that creativity resides in all of us, and it’s never too late to discover or reconnect with that part of ourselves.   

“The Holladay Arts Council’s mission is to inspire,
engage, and unify the community through the arts,” Holladay Arts and Culture Manager Megan Attermann said. “Our mission ends with an invitation to discover yourself in art. The Brush and Pen program has done just that by offering the participants an opportunity to explore, reflect and express their inner world through creative practice. We are deeply grateful to our partner, the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, whose generous donation made this program possible. Also, I need to thank the Holladay City Council for their ongoing advocacy and leadership, which sustains the work of Holladay Arts.”

The Brush and Pen intensive eight-session workshop was designed to encourage the use of words to inspire
paintings, allowing each art form to enhance the other.
     The expertise of writing facilitator Nan Seymour was evident as she invited students to engage in reflective writing
inspired by the natural world. By using the seven community agreements from the River Writing process created by
Seymour, a workshop atmosphere was created where students could feel a sense of belonging and be creative, understood, and accepted.

“What an inspiring Holladay arts community and Holladay Arts Council,” Seymour said. “Everyone has stories to tell with access to information others don’t have. Everyone is carrying a treasure inside. Part of our purpose in life must be to bring the treasure forward and to share it with others. Writing is one way to accomplish that.” 

Visual arts facilitator Sue Martin gently guided students in exploring the basics of watercolor, empowering them to create expressive and beautiful artwork quickly.

“I love teaching in the creative aging program. I’m a creative aging individual also,” said Martin. “I didn’t receive my fine arts degree until I was 66 so it’s never too late to get started as an artist. The students in this class were fantastic. They were so motivated and excited about learning about watercolor. Watercolor is not an easy medium. In fact, it is one of the most difficult. I think the students came to realize during the workshop sessions if you let the water in the paint do what it wants to do, it can’t help to make something absolutely beautiful.”

During the evening events, Brush and Pen students shared their written pieces and their watercolor art with family, friends and the Holladay community in celebration of telling only the stories they could tell.

“There have been many times in my life when I’ve said ‘I just want to go home,’ home from college, home for Christmas, home because I’ve been away for a long while,” program participant Merrill Harward, shared with tears in his eyes. “Maybe I was discouraged or unwell and needed to be cheered, or maybe I just wanted thecompany of good friends and family. It’s a tragedy when someone longs for the warmth, comfort and safety of home and believes it’s not available. Three months ago, a friend and skiing companion ended his own life. He probably didn’t think it or know it, but I think the reason was,
‘I just want to go home.’ λ