Amana Living Launches Six-Week Long Arts Festival

WA’s first ever arts festival created specifically for seniors, the Amana Living Arts Festival, launched this Monday 12^th February.

From Wu Tao dance classes to bedside harp solos, this six-week Festival will deliver more than 150 events for older people from Perth, Australind and Kalgoorlie. The Festival takes place at over 50 locations including Amana Living sites, community centres and iconic venues such as the State Theatre Centre of WA, Art Gallery of WA and WA Maritime Museum.

Stephanie Buckland, CEO of Amana Living, said the Festival builds on the organisation’s commitment to delivering art programmes for its residents and clients, and was inspired by creative ageing festivals Luminate in Scotland and Meander Valley Festival of Creative Ageing in Tasmania.

“Our emphasis is on helping people to truly live the second half of life and arts have a wonderful role to play in helping older people to have fun, try different things, and meet new people.

Engaging with the arts is also incredibly therapeutic. Health and wellbeing benefits range from combating loneliness and isolation through to alleviating depression, and improving communication and relationships.

We recognise these benefits and have a long history of offering artistic experiences to our residents and clients. Over the years that’s encompassed a range of activities like regular craft classes at our care centres, personalised music therapy, and Project Picasso - an art exhibition by people living with dementia.

However, the Amana Living Arts Festival takes it to the next level. We designed it to ensure every one of our customers, whatever their age, health or ability, has the opportunity to enjoy an artistic experience.  It’s inclusive, accessible and challenges stereotypes about people who use aged care services.

To our knowledge, there has never been an arts event of this size or scale created for older people in WA. We’re proud to be pioneering an event that we hope will become a regular feature in the State’s arts calendar.”

The organisation has brought together artists, musicians, performers, writers, dancers, sculptors and art therapists to deliver bespoke sessions for Amana Living residents and clients. ‘Handpicked highlights’ have also been curated from the Perth summer arts calendar, with exclusive events designed for Amana Living customers.

Find out more about Amana Living. 

Pictured: Glass Jewellery Making with Leisa Antonio. Using the fusing, slumping, kiln-fired techniques, residents learn the basics in order to design and make their own jewellery. A three-session series  run by Fremantle local artist Leisa Antonio.