Maplewood's 'Senior Studio' Offers Free Art Classes

From The Maplewood Department of Parks, Recreation: The Maplewood Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs will be again be sponsoring SeniorStudio, a free, innovative arts program for age 60+ township residents. Registration is now open for the Spring semester. Since space is limited, interested students are encouraged to register soon, either in-person at DeHart Community Center or Town Hall or sending an email or call Michelle Wesley, michellew@twp.maplewood.nj.us, 973.763.0750 New classes begin Thursday, March 30 at 11am and run for two hours. They will be held at the new Maplewood Senior Center at 106 Burnett St. The program, which includes eight classes and class trips to 1978Arts Gallery and the Newark Museum continues through June 12.

A unique feature of the program is “Open Studio,” studio time on Fridays, 12 – 2pm when students can get more personalized attention, work independently, or build on work done in class. “Watching the students in last year’s SeniorStudio grow over the course of the program was very gratifying. We are excited to offer the program to more students at our new Age-Friendly space next to the DeHart Community Center. The program is full of lessons for first time artists as well as students who just haven’t picked up their brush in a while. It’s a friendly environment to let your creativity flow,” commented Melissa Mancuso, Director, Maplewood Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs. Noted Mayor Vic DeLuca, “SeniorStudio is part of our continuing effort and commitment to expand the type of programs we bring to town seniors, who represent a large and vital part of our community.”

SeniorStudio was conceived and developed by long-time Maplewood resident Dan Kaslow. The first program was in Newark, where it received widespread recognition and was featured in an article in the Newark Star-Ledger. This past year, the program moved to Maplewood, for spring and fall classes, and was featured in the News-Record.

“What has been most exciting has been is seeing how proud our SeniorStudio arts students are when they see their framed final projects and realize they are talented artists who have developed skills to produce a quality painting. Viewing students’ final projects, it hard to believe these seniors had never painted before this class,” Dan Kaslow noted. SeniorStudio has been supported and advised by neuroscience research scientists at Rutgers University and the University of Texas; arts educators from the Newark Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, the art departments at Rutgers University and Essex County College, and Elders Share the Arts, a pioneer in arts and aging programs.

Dan Kaslow has long been involved in the arts community, both in Maplewood and New York City, serving on several nonprofit arts boards, including Theatre Project, What Exit?, SITI Company and Elders Share the Arts. After a career as a corporate consultant, Dan now works with nonprofit arts organizations, providing advice on planning, marketing and finance. The instructor for the program will be Lauren Kaiser, Montclair, a painter, graphic designer and experienced arts educator, instructor and tutor, who has taught numerous art studio workshops. She will be assisted by Winifer Estevez, a painter and student working towards her BFA at William Paterson University, with experience in the fine arts, fashion design, show production, and illustration.

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay