Tag Archive for: art
Art & Health
Many older Australians are reaping the benefits from being engaged in various forms of art. They are taking part in artistic activities and engaging with art to be active in both mind and body.
Keeping our mind active as we age has become so important as we age has become so important as it keeps us from being bored and withdrawing from the world around us. By participating in art based activities, we can feel better about ourselves.
Engaging in some form of art like painting, sculpture, writing or reciting poetry, drama or learning a musical instrument will get you in a better frame of mind to tackle your daily activities.
Your involvement in art can reduce the incidence of depression and loneliness, and will even help with your manual dexterity. You may notice that your mood has improved and that you look forward to getting out your paints, or meeting other like minded artists at a local workshop. You might find that you are more relaxed and happier in your day to day routine and that you are in control. The act of creating something for yourself or for another can increase your sense of self worth with the added bonus of always having gifts that you have created on hand. but the best part of all is, these sort of activities can stop you from being bored.
So if you have always thought of yourself as not being the ‘arty’ type, you have nothing to lose. Have a go at taking up an art form that you have thought you might like to try, give it a go and if it doesn’t suit you, then try something else. Look in the library for ideas or call your local council for advice about groups to contact.
A variety of weekly art classes are offered at Little Bay Coast Centre, click here for further information.
Article extracted from ‘ONECOTA’ Winter edition magazine.
The Value of Staying Connected Online
10 Good Things About Being On The Internet:
- Stay in touch with friends and family using video calling or messaging
- Shop for groceries from your computer and get them delivered to your front door
- Share memories, pictures and videos over email or social media
- Keep up to date with local, government, and community activities
- Pay your bills from the convenience of your home by using online banking
- Conduct medical appointments at home with online video (via e-health)
- Keep the grand kids entertained on the internet when they visit
- Watch and stream TV shows online through services like YouTube, Netflix, Stan, Presto and Catch up TV
- Read books, newspapers and magazines articles online from your smartphone, tablet or computer
- Use social media like Facebook and Twitter to stay in touch with local communities, friends and family.
Mental Benefits
Knowledge of the Internet can also help improve mental alertness. Aside from the vast information from the Internet, it is also a great source for video games. Why video games? According to the Psychology and Aging magazine, playing video games helps improve cognitive functions which normally decline during the passing years. Strategy video games help in keeping our brains razors sharp and improve hand-eye coordination.
Learning and Leisure
One can continue learning by browsing the Internet to get more information on important topics, such as health and fitness. Watching tutorial videos related to their interests such as painting, playing the piano, gardening, flower arrangements, cooking, and travel, among others, is a great way to expand knowledge and keep the creative juices flowing.
Reconnect With Old Friends via Social Media
Facebook is the most popular social networking site that brings family and friends together. Share photos, chat online, play games, search old friends and more. What an exciting way to reconnect with old friends to whom they have lost throughout the years.
Helps Build Relationships With Grand Kids
Many seniors or grandparents feel they are being left behind because they cannot keep up with the world. With Internet knowledge and use, seniors can still catch up with their grandchildren, bridging the gap between them. Having a common activity together and frequent interaction via the Internet helps to build a better relationship.
Join our Tech Forum!
On the first and third Monday of every month (12 noon – 2pm)
One on one sessions are also available on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Ballet Classes Can Strengthen Your Mind
Going into a ballet class most people expect the physical strain that comes with the grace, poise, posture and foot work that ballet dancers are famous for enduring. However, people forget that ballet also works the mind.
“You need to really think during a ballet class,” says Dianne Harrison, principal at Elancé Adult Ballet School in Melbourne. “Your brain needs to be several steps ahead of your body. It must instruct and control multiple muscle groups, apply the correct techniques to prevent injury and create artistry through emotional expression. And then you dance!”
Fortunately, our brains respond well to these challenges. A 2017 study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience journal compared the impact that both dance and repetitive endurance training had on the hippocampus – the part of the brain that is mostly associated with memory.
As a result of the different arm formations, steps, rhythms, and speeds, the study found that ballet dancing led to a behavioural change through improved balance.
It found that while both had a positive impact, only dancing led to a behavioural change through improved balance. The authors attributed this to dancers having to learn new routines, as well as different arm formations, steps, rhythms and speeds.
Meanwhile, a 2003 study in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that of 11 physical activities, only dancing was associated with a lower risk of dementia.
Luckily, ballet, however ungraceful, moves us forward.
Five Good Reasons To Visit Canberra Now
Canberra offers a great diversity of attractions and experiences all within close proximity.
Our trip on 22 March offers two outstanding destinations: The National Gallery of Australia and The Australian War Memorial; you choose.
Delight in the art and world-class exhibitions on show at The National Gallery of Australia, on the shores of Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. Art lovers will enjoy meandering through the galleries and admiring the collection, which includes the famous ‘Blue Poles’ by Jackson Pollock and the Ned Kelly series by Sidney Nolan.
Tours and activities are a great way to get more out of your visit. One hour Gallery Highlight Tour available 10.30 am, 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm daily.
The Gallery currently has 4 outstanding exhibitions open to the public at no charge, among many others. The standouts are :-
Namatjira
Painting country
This display celebrates the donation of Gordon and Marilyn Darling’s collection of watercolours by the critically acclaimed Western Arrarnta artist, Albert Namatjira. It also features works by the Hermannsburg artists who continue his legacy.
Australian
Impressionism
This Exhibition heralds the return of Arthur Streeton’s Golden summer, Eaglemont from the National Gallery, London, all of the NGA’s major Australian Impressionist works will be hung together, offering an unprecedented opportunity to experience the depth and richness of the national collection.
David Hockney
Prints
David Hockney has been an important figure on the international art scene for half a century. This exhibition explores the broader history of his printmaking practice through key works from the NGA’s extensive collection, one of the largest in the world.
Arthur Streeton
The Art of War
This Exhibition brings together key works from Streeton collections around Australia and overseas, Streeton’s contribution to the Australian war effort was significant.
The Australian War Memorial is also a standout place to visit. There are free frequent guided tours.
Trip details
Departs Brodie Ave, Little Bay at 8am Returns 7pm.
Cost $60 pp. Bookings Essential.
Call us at The Coast Centre Reception 9311 4886
Christmas Market 2017
To celebrate Christmas 2017, we’re hosting a Christmas Market day on Saturday 9 December between 9 and 2. Stalls will be available, under shelter, on our western verandah. Anyone in the neighbourhood who has great Christmas wares to sell is welcome to join us as a stall holder. A spot at this market will cost just $50. We already have stallholders with speciality giftware to sell as well as cakes, jams, cards, ceramics, artworks, jewellery and plants.
Please give us a call or email if you’d like to part of the day. Tel. 9311 4886
35 Days of Christmas
On this day before Christmas, my health coach said to me ,
“Go to the Coast, take lots of classes and don’t waste your time,
there’s a lot to do, dance, sing and rhyme,
laugh, smile and hum,
sew, paint and draw,
and you’ll never, never need, a partridge in a pear tree”
–
Apologies to composer Frederic Austin
Artists of the Coast
Need a Christmas present for someone?
An all medium Exhibition with works in watercolour, mixed media, oils and calligraphy… For Sale!
Artists from the Coast Centre will be showing their best and you can see them in the Gallery – Opens Sunday Oct 29 – Dec 1
Fete and Grandparents Day 2017
Come and celebrate Grandparents Rock South East Sydney!
at The Coast Centre (2 Curie Ave, Little Bay)
Sunday 29th October – 10am to 2pm
There will be: Pizza and BBQ, Aussie Animal Display, Pipers & Drummers from Clan McLeod, Dance displays, Cakes, Craft, Gifts and Plants.
Great fun for the whole family!
