The AGO launched the monthly Seniors Social last November as a new way to engage with visitors. The in-person version included an hour-long themed tour followed by tea and coffee, then an art-making activity based on elements of the tour. (Read the AGO Insider story here.) When the gallery shut down in March, staff quickly figured out how to keep the program going remotely.

The digital version would include a 20 minute “conversational tour” video of abstract art with Art Educator Doris Purchase, a 20 minute art instruction video about abstract drawing with art instructor Lauren Renzetti, and a final 20 minute video where participants make art together and chat. 

In addition to the art instruction video by Lauren, staff recorded two videos that recreated the live experience, featuring two AGO volunteers as “model” participants, Gavin O’Hara (Thursday GG) and Jennet Sandler (Wednesday GG).

Meeting with staff over Zoom, Gavin and Jennet discussed two artworks with Doris. On the second Zoom call, Laura led them through art making, using items they each had around their houses. The two calls were recorded and are now viewable along with the instructional video here. We asked Gavin and Jennet about their experience in helping create the videos.

How did you get involved?

Gavin: I’m a relative newbie as a Gallery Guide (I started with the Thursday crew in March 2019), so I try to stay open to activities which can help me develop as a Guide. When I saw the call out, I thought it could be fun and could possibly exercise some different “muscles” to that end so I threw my name in.

Jennet: I started volunteering at the AGO six years ago as an audio guide, then an info guide, and last year became a gallery guide. I volunteered for this project because I thought it would be interesting and fun to continue my education by participating in a guided discussion about artists and their art. I was also curious to about how exploring at an artist’s work could then be applied to creating my own piece.

What artworks did you discuss?

Jennet: The artworks were picked for us by Doris. We discussed two works. The first was Grey Circle by Kandinsky. This part of the recorded talk was more formal where we were asked specific questions about the painting, and directed by name as to when to answer a question. I think we were all getting used to how this online format would work. We took a little break between two art works as we were close to using up our Zoom time with the first session (some of that time was used to resolve tech issues).

For the second session we discussed Inner Structure by Nakamura. Before taping this session we decided to make it more informal. Gavin and I chimed in when we felt we had something to offer, rather than waiting to be selected to speak. This is a little risky on Zoom, but it worked because there were only two of us plus Doris, and we were respectful of sharing “talk” time. It also seems like we all were more enthusiastic about this piece.

What was it like working online?

Gavin: Controlling the environment (lighting and ambient noise in particular) proved to be helpful. Just before we started doing one of the sessions, I think every one of our neighbours decided to crank up whatever power tools they had on hand. I had to race around and try to close all the windows in and near the room I was in to control the racket outside! My set-up here was to use the microphone / camera on my iMac. When I looked at the final product, I think I would have changed the set-up so that I would have been closer to the camera so that the four of us (Jennet, Doris, Lauren and I) were framed in a more consistent manner.

There was a greater need for sustained attention during the call than a “regular” Zoom call. For me, it helps if I can eliminate other distractions – find a quiet space, minimize any windows on screen that might draw my attention away from the video. Once I’ve established the framing with the camera, I normally turn off “self-view” in Zoom.

Jennet: If someone is not used to “zooming” they might need some guidelines for how things work. My Wednesday morning GG team has been participating in similar online meet-ups, once a week since mid-April. This helped me feel more comfortable with this format.

What about the experience surprised you?

Jennet: As a graduate of OCADU and someone who still takes the occasional studio class at TSA, I was surprised, in a good way, that I could make art at home and by myself, yet still enjoy the “classroom / studio” experience. It was stimulating to be in the company of other art makers, even if it was virtual and not actual.

Gavin: I’ve had experience in both training and in conducting or participating in meetings remotely via video-conference, so doing the session online felt natural. I was a little nervous about the creation of the piece in the second video. I haven’t done any work like that in many years and wasn’t sure if it would be up to the quality of the others. Perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing — it might give some of your participants confidence that they can do something better than that guy on the screen!

What do you think the reaction of viewers will be?

Gavin: I would be very interested to hear what the target audience thinks of it. When we get back to “normal”, it would also be great to sit in on a live Seniors Social and see how it compares to the virtual version.

What advice would you give to others taking part as volunteers and those doing art-related activities online generally?

Jennet: Do some preparation before the meeting starts. Think about where your camera is placed, what your background looks like, be familiar with the functions of the virtual format – both the audio and the visual. If supplies are required – have them ready ahead of time. Most importantly, if something goes wrong with the tech side – don’t worry about it and don’t feel intimidated. We are all figuring this out together.

Gavin: Make eye contact with the camera rather than the other participants. A little counter-intuitive, but you come across as more natural if you do that. There are a number of articles on the web on how to control the lighting to put your best face forward.

What other ways have you stayed engaged during the pandemic lockdown (art-related or otherwise)?

Gavin: Staying close to or at home at the beginning of the lockdown was tough; I use Instagram as a photo sketchbook and noticed that I didn’t post much there in April and May. It was mostly watching a lot of content online (I’ve been trying to keep up with all the video material that the AGO has been posting!). Being able to get out was a welcome change and it felt like I was starting to notice things again. As we moved into June, my partner and I started to spend more time moving around the city and visiting places like the AGO (we’ve also been able to visit the Art Gallery of Hamilton and the Art Gallery of Guelph over the past couple of weeks). I’m also an avid cyclist. Despite this summer’s heat, I’ve been able to get out for a ride most mornings.

Jennet:

• Participation in the Brooklyn Library Sketchbook Project 
• Weekly Zoom meetings with my AGO gallery guide group
• Daily urban hiking or biking in Toronto’s ravine systems or neighbourhoods with my husband
• Experimenting with vegan / vegetarian cooking
• Making collages
• Zoom meetings with friends and family near and far
• Too much Netflix!