SU-CASA grants are generously funded by the New York City Council in partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs providing intensive arts residencies led by Lehman College Art Gallery teaching artists in Senior Centers in NYC. Teaching artists encourage participants to take risks and many have remarked they are surprised by how much they had learned, the positive impact it had on them, and that they look forward to more opportunities for authentic art-making.  The culminating exhibitions provide an opportunity for seniors to share their experiences and showcase their artwork. They build self-esteem, confidence and allow seniors to joyfully celebrate their learning, proficiency, and achievements in visual arts.

PSS City Island Senior Center

Teaching Artist, Crystal Benitez

The PSS SU CASA program significantly enriched the City Island senior citizens community through a diverse array of art mediums and techniques. Over the course of the program, participants actively engaged in a wide spectrum of artistic activities, fostering creativity and skill development. Participants explored various art forms including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, collage, and mixed media. They learned to effectively utilize watercolor pencils and paints, experimented with different types of paper, and created both abstract and representational artworks. A highlight of the program was the exploration of relief printing techniques, where participants created intricate prints on fabric and garments. They engaged in various printmaking methods, including cyanotypes, silkscreening, and foam reliefs. In addition, they crafted dishes, animals, and other sculptures from air clay. Using crayons for wax resistance, combined with watercolor paints and pencils, they produced both landscapes and abstract images. The program included discussions on the works of Jackson Pollock and Picasso, emphasizing creativity over perfection, and examined contemporary artists for landscape and abstract art inspiration. This hands-on experience not only enhanced their technical proficiency but also allowed for creative expression through textile art. The culmination of the program was marked by a culminating exhibition that celebrated the participants’ achievements. The program culminated in a showcase event featuring their air-dry sculptures and pottery, watercolor techniques, printmaking reliefs, and collages. Additionally, a slideshow presentation highlighted their silkscreen bag designs and captured joyful moments from the group’s collaborative work sessions. Through the PSS SU CASA  program, senior participants not only honed their artistic abilities but also experienced the therapeutic and community-building aspects of creative expression. The program’s success was evident in the high level of engagement and the quality of artworks produced, underscoring its positive impact on the participants’ well-being and sense of accomplishment.

Rain Mt Carmel Senior Center
Teaching Artist, Celeste Morton

The SU CASA arts residency at RAIN Mt. Carmel provided a space for creativity, learning new skills, and building community. The art classes met twice a week for older adults, each session spanned two hours. The residency aimed to stimulate creativity, foster community engagement, and provide a platform for artistic expression among the residents. The program began with a focus on the fundamentals of 2D art, starting with color theory and the creation of a color wheel. Participants were introduced to various art materials including acrylic paint, watercolor, canvas, paper, pastels, and collage materials. Throughout the residency participants viewed different artists and art historical works through books and printed images for visual inspiration and reference. Our thematic exploration centered around images of landscapes, plants, flowers, and birds, allowing participants to draw inspiration from nature in their artwork. Additionally, we dedicated two classes to designing and painting tote bags using stencils and acrylic paint, blending practical art skills with creative application. The residency culminated in an exhibition held in the cafeteria, coinciding with the center’s celebration of June birthdays. The exhibition provided an opportunity for residents to proudly display their artworks to friends, family, and staff members. The event was well-attended, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment among the participants as they shared their artistic journey with the community. During the celebration, the Teaching Artist, Celeste Morton facilitated discussions about each artwork, highlighting the achievements of each artist and providing a meaningful context for their creative expressions. This interactive approach not only honored the residents’ efforts but also deepened their connection to the art-making process and the community at large. Overall, the arts residency at RAIN Mt. Carmel successfully integrated art education, creative exploration, and community engagement. It provided a supportive environment where older adults could explore their artistic interests, develop new skills, and celebrate their creativity through a culminating exhibition that showcased their diverse talents and achievements.

Einstein Senior Center
Teaching Artist, Tijay Mohammed

The SU CASA arts residency at Einstein Senior Center provided a vibrant space dedicated to fostering creativity, skill development, and community engagement among older adults. Conducted twice weekly, these art classes spanned two hours. The residency aimed to ignite creativity, enhance community involvement, and provide a platform for residents to express themselves artistically. Participants embarked on a journey of creating multimedia self-portraits that captured meaningful moments from their past, present, or imagined lives. They also engaged in storytelling circles where they shared positive narratives, whether real or fictional, inspired by their portraits. Utilizing a diverse array of materials such as cardboard, construction paper, magazines, newspapers, beads, glue, markers, pencils, wallpaper scraps, aluminum wire, cello sheets, fabrics, jewelry, and photographs, participants crafted various practical items including plaques, decorative boxes, and tote bags. The culmination of the residency was a highly successful exhibition where seniors proudly showcased their artwork, each piece a testament to their unique achievements. The exhibition was part of a larger luncheon celebration highlighting the center’s programming, providing a platform for participants to receive recognition from the community for their artistic endeavors. Senior participants not only developed their artistic skills but also found therapeutic and community-building benefits through creative expression. The program’s achievements were apparent in the enthusiastic participation and the caliber of artworks created, highlighting its positive effects on the well-being and sense of achievement among participants.

Bronx House Senior Center
Teaching Artist, Nancy Saleme

The SU CASA residency at the Bronx House Senior Center focused on exploring themes of climate change and reconnecting with nature through various artistic activities. Initially, participants engaged with a range of art materials, including fabric painting on tote bags and aprons, to create personalized items. Emphasizing a free and playful approach, participants learned fundamental concepts of color theory and composition, laying the groundwork for more intricate designs. As the residency progressed, the focus shifted to painting on canvas using professional-grade materials such as stretched canvases and acrylic paints. Participants explored resist techniques like the tape method, and stencils to create detailed paintings, drawing inspiration from their imaginations, and memories. The culmination of their efforts was an exhibition featuring fifteen finished paintings, each a masterpiece in its own right. The exhibition was met with great success as seniors proudly displayed their artwork, expressing the uniqueness of their achievements. Their creations reflected a diverse range of inspirations: vibrant, nature-inspired scenes recalling memories of the Grand Canyon, motifs from traditional textiles of their homelands like Italy and Russia, and urban landscapes from their own backyards. Through this journey at Bronx House Senior Center, participants bonded with both old and new friends, discovering the transformative power of art to instill hope and happiness in their lives.