The Creative Age Network is a creative community established in 2010 with a mission to promote, increase and support the number of high quality professionally-led creative arts education programs available to older adults in Ontario communities. Members are arts educators, program coordinators, community developers and partnership developers. We share our knowledge, skills and programming experiences with municipalities, organizations and individuals who have similar goals.
Our training programs provide proven tools and helpful practices based on 20 years of experience. Our volunteer community developers, speakers and workshop leaders are available to make highly acclaimed presentations to community organizations, public libraries and professional development associations.
The Creative Age Art Studio is sponsored by the Municipality of Thames Centre, the Dorchester Seniors Centre (OACAO) and managed by volunteer facilitators and coordinators who design, develop and deliver creative aging programs and other arts-related activities. Funding is provided by New Horizons for Seniors, Ontario Seniors Community Grant Program, the Dorchester Lions Club and private donations. Volunteers open and close the studio, purchase and manage supplies, greet potential new members and provide art studio members with quality program opportunities and free art supplies to improve their quality of life through creative self expression in a peer-led social learning environment.
The 50+ Creative Club is part of the recreation and wellness programming at the London Ontario Horton Street 50+ Centre (OACAO) with two pools (one full size and one warm therapy pool), a full service cafe with frozen take home meals available for purchase and transportation services to and from the centre available
- fitness (exercise classes, tai chi, yoga, kick boxing, line dancing)
- aquatic program with Aqua-fit and gentle fit classes
- sports leagues (pickleball, badminton, carpet ball, floor curling)
- card games (bridge, euchre, cribbage)
- social programs (social group and bingo)
- day trips
- luncheons, special events, educational seminars, and health fairs with guest speakers
- full-service fitness room
- drop-in programs
Lead Facilitators
Penny Wearne is the Coordinator of the Creative Age Art Studio located in Middlesex County. The studio draws participants (50+) from London and surrounding counties.
Kathy Smith is the Lead Facilitator of the 50+ Creative Club and the Creative Age Community Outreach Initiative.
Both Penny and Kathy design, develop and deliver Creative Age Facilitator and Instructor training sessions.
