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Decades of life experience, distilled into a single image. Photo Voice – Moments in Time is made possible through the partnership of The Mental Health Association and Aging in Montclair. With special thanks to Montclair Public Library for hosting these workshops and the group exhibit. This exhibit is curated by Intensive Family Support Services, (IFSS) and its team of graduate art therapy interns.
The picture shows multiple aspects. The cluster of turtles shows life existing and thriving within a pond located in a suburban park, despite pollution and other threats. Acceptance of them gathered together amidst other pond inhabitants, such as ducks, geese, and whatever else flies in. Their resourcefulness for continuing to survive in the face of people, dogs, and any predators, which is probably why they gathered there in the first place.
Photo Voice is a process by which people can identify and represent their community’s strengths, concerns, and unique perspective. Two groups comprised of family members from Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) and local residents from AIM participated in a series of 6 workshops designed to explore the experience of growing older. Through discussion, art making, and writing practice, their resulting work illustrates themes of Time, Acceptance, Freedom, Awareness, and more.
Enhanced by personal statements, this exhibit of 15 photographs was on view at the Montclair Public Library in 2022, in observance of Family Caregiver’s Month.
Life may be a rocky road, not always what you expect. As we age, just like this hillside is marred, we may be scared or injured. We are still the same person inside with a joy for life and an enthusiasm to live and do new things. There is always something new to learn and we keep growing like the new growth on this hillside. We are still vital to our families and community.
– Barbara
Awareness of how quickly time passes; the humbling of age.
– Anonymous
Life may be a rocky road, not always what you expect. As we age, just like this hillside is marred, we may be scared or injured. We are still the same person inside with a joy for life and an enthusiasm to live and do new things. There is always something new to learn and we keep growing like the new growth on this hillside. We are still vital to our families and community.
– Jeanne
