Visually connect : older adults’ reflections around a programme of visual art dialogues

Abstract

The research was designed to address a lacuna in fourth age learning within the context of lifelong learning, outside of formal settings and within a residential home for older adults. The main goal of the research was to investigate older adult participation in a learning programme and to determine the kind of learning that occurs when they attend a weekly programme of visual art dialogues over a seven week period. It sought to investigate the effect these reproductions of visual art had on the kind of learning experienced: learning in terms of personal gains and identity capital, learning in terms of the social/peer interactions and in terms of the exposure to the projected images of the medium of visual arts shown. The mean age of participants was 81 years. At the end of the programme there was a focus group with the older adult participants themselves. The research tried to ensure that geragogical principles are followed and implemented. Furthermore the research provided a significant opportunity to advance the understanding of exposure of older adults, with limited cultural capital, to reproductions of visual art images and to capture their feelings of the learning involved through them. The research was carried out qualitatively, and took an action research approach because of the collaborative nature expected between the action researcher/practitioner and the participants. Analysis and discussion of the findings led to the emergence of six main identifiable themes: the importance of reminiscence, intergenerational and ‘intra’-generational learning, visual art dialogues as springboard for more contemporary issues, visual art dialogues encouraging art appreciation, visual art as a vehicle to dialogue and socialization, and stimulation of cognitive abilities. Learning occurring via these themes was also evidenced. The research concluded that although there were no actual measureable tangible outcomes, the other general aims of the programme were also achieved, that is, the provision of visual art enrichment and informal art appreciation, communication by encouragement of self-expression and consequent enhancement of social interaction, stimulation of creativity, increasing psychological wellbeing and ultimately improvement of quality of life. Motivations and benefits of fourth age learning emerged too. The research also threw up many questions in need of further investigation. Recommendations across different spheres ranged from practice to policy issues.