“At what age do people hit their stride professionally? Categorically speaking, athletes, engineers, politicians, television writers, salesmen, and actresses all have varying norms and shelf lives, sometimes affected by physical attributes or societal expectations. Seemingly immune to ageist perceptions and traditional notions of retirement are artists. A historical look reveals that a striking number have been highly productive and turned out some of their best work late into old age, including Bellini (who died at 86), Michelangelo (d. 89), Titian (d. between 86 and 103, depending on your source), Ingres (d. 86), Monet (d. 86), Matisse (d. 84), Picasso (d. 91), O’Keeffe (d. 98), and Bourgeois (d. 98).” Read much more in this excellent article by Hilarie M. Sheets in ArtNews.
Are there any senior arts communities in Northern California – Marin or Sonoma County, or the Bay area? My husband and I are in our early nineties and would love to live in such a community.
I’ll refer your question to our Executive Director to see if he has any suggestions. Thanks for reading the EngAGE Blog!
We’re working on expanding our EngAGE program, and training other organizations to replicate it. Nothing in Northern California yet, but we’ll post on the Blog should that change. Meanwhile, you might try checking with your neighborhood senior center to see if they can refer you to arts or housing organizations that could help you. Here’s a link to a state-wide list of senior centers. Good luck! http://www.careforcalifornia.net/list11_ca_senior_centers.htm