The second installment of the AGO’s online Senior Social premiered on November 20, featuring Tuesday GGs Laurie Herd and Carolyn Roth. We asked them about their experience making the video with staff members Doris Purchase, Art Educator, and Lauren McKinley Renzetti, Art Instructor. You can watch the three-part video featuring works by Mary Hiester Reid and Helen Galloway McNicoll here

What inspired you to sign up for the Senior Social online video?

Laurie: I was inspired to volunteer for the Zoom Senior Social because I thought it would be a good way to stay connected to the AGO while we are not able to do in-person tours.  It feels good to do something to make life more interesting for people who are isolated or unable to get out.  Hopefully it will encourage people to experiment with art-making.  It is an enjoyable way to pass the time.

Carolyn: Yes I have to agree with Laurie about the willingness to take on the Senior Social. Although it took courage to attempt something new, I thought it would be a way to keep in touch with people and appreciate art together. The people in our Tuesday Group at the AGO all miss doing their tours and this seemed to be a way for me to communicate my love for art differently. The Zoom experience was relatively new but at times one would forget that the chatting was on screen. 

Did you have any previous experience with art interpretation or art making? What was it like to do it over Zoom?

Carolyn: Art has been central to my life always. I studied Fine Arts at university and taught Visual Arts throughout my career at different levels. Being at the AGO has allowed me to continue my vocation. Experiences ‘making art’ have suffered in the last few years in that I had let time slip away with other things to do. However both my husband and I have resolved to make a new start once again. It is a way to lose oneself and create.

Laurie: I am a Tuesday Gallery Guide and I have had many years of experience talking about art so the conversation part of the Senior Social felt easy and relaxed.  I have had very little experience making art and I was nervous about creating art while being recorded.  While I have become used to being on Zoom over the last several months, I did find it difficult to talk and make art at the same time.  I found I was working away while the others were chatting.  I almost forgot that we were being recorded. 

What surprised you (good or bad) about the experience?

Laurie: I am surprised that my work looks better than I thought it would.  I enjoyed working with Doris, Lauren and my Tuesday colleague Carolyn because they are very professional and fun.  I would encourage others to consider volunteering for the Senior Social even if they have limited or no art making experience.  It is an enjoyable way to stay involved with the AGO and our volunteer role.

Is there anything you would change about it?

Carolyn: Would I change anything? Well perhaps the art making could be a more spontaneous exploration of techniques. Lauren did a great job of talking us through various ways of doing the composition, the application of colours etc., but I was nervous about having to have a product at the end. Maybe puddling in paint and chalks together would lessen the tension. I hope that someone who watches these videos about discussing and making art would feel emboldened and jump right into exploring. It is so good for the soul!

What would you like people watching online to take away from the video?

Carolyn: I think the Senior Socials might just encourage the people watching to explore art making as it is a way to feel that one can make a contribution and feel good about newly found ability, no matter what level of expertise. I have a very close friend who in her senior years has taken up painting in acrylics which at times escapes from the canvas to making ‘rock paintings’ which are left along the trails when walking. She is ecstatic!

I really enjoyed working with Doris and Lauren and of course my friend, Laurie, from our Tuesday Group of Gallery Guides. It was SO much fun!

You can read about the first Seniors Social session here. The next ones are scheduled for December 18, January 15, February 19 and March 19. More info here.