Artful Connections

Program Overview

Artful Connections, now in its fourth season, is a multi-faceted arts program at Cornwall Manor. These sessions are available to independent living residents, with a selection of classes also offered to personal and skilled care residents. This inclusive approach ensures that all residents can benefit from the program.

Benefits of Arts Engagement for Older Adults

As Americans enjoy longer and healthier lives than ever before, the focus on holistic wellness has become increasingly important. The arts contribute to healthy aging, making them an effective tool for addressing the wellness needs of older Americans who are living longer and healthier lives than they did a generation ago. Did you know that Pennsylvania has the fourth oldest population in the nation with 2.9 million individuals aged 60 years and older living in the Commonwealth? It is estimated that by the year 2030 there will be more than 3.6 million Pennsylvanians ages 60 and older.

One innovative approach to promoting well-being among older adults is through arts programming. These programs not only provide a creative outlet, but also contribute significantly to physical, mental and emotional health. 

For these individuals, creative aging – which is a set of practices that leverages the benefits of making, sharing or otherwise engaging in the arts to foster the mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of older adults – will become an increasingly important resource in the health care continuum, cultivating lifelong learning and societal well-being.

Cornwall Manor is always looking for ways to add programs to complement existing opportunities for residents to stay active and engaged. We believe it is important to nurture the body, mind and spirit through a variety of ways. As lifestyles and interests of the residents are constantly changing.

Classes & Workshops

This year, in its vibrant fourth season, Artful Connections invites residents to dive into a fresh lineup of creative adventures. From the expressive strokes of watercolor painting to the rhythmic energy of the drumming circle, there’s something for every artistic spirit. Participants can explore cultural traditions through African Mud Cloth, shape their visions in clay sculpture, or bring stories to life in storytelling and CM Players, our spirited drama group. For those who love working with their hands, woodworking offers a satisfying challenge, while CM Sings!, our welcoming, non-auditioned chorale, fills the air with harmony and joy.

The 2024 Artful Connections Makers Sessions offered a rich tapestry of creative experiences designed to inspire and connect. Participants explored their artistic sides through small glass mosaics, collage, drawing and watercolor painting, while also diving into tactile crafts like hand-built pottery, woodworking, and metal embossing. The rhythm of our community came alive in the drumming circle and square dancing sessions and stories took center stage in storytelling workshops. A highlight was the collaborative large/community glass mosaic, a true symbol of shared creativity. Encore Creativity brought the season to a harmonious close, uniting voices in a joyful, non-auditioned chorale that celebrated the power of community through song. This group performed in December 2024 with the opportunity to sing with other Encore performers across the nation at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. 

At the conclusion of each Artful Connections season, a Resident Art Exhibit is held for residents to showcase various pieces of their artwork. Multi-faceted arts programs are proving to be an effective tool for promoting healthy aging. One of the most significant advantages of these arts programs is the sense of community they foster. Participants often form strong bonds with their peers, creating a supportive network that is vital for maintaining mental health and overall happiness.