St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium

Keynote Speaker - Creative Expression, Health & Well-Being in Advancing Age - Gay Hannah, Executive Director, National Center for Creative Aging

Gay Hanna, Ph.D., M.F.A., an arts administration leader with 30 years management experience in the arts, education and health related program services, is the executive director of the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), an affiliate of George Washington University. Dr. Hanna is noted for her expertise in the areas of accessibility and universal design. Dr. Hanna holds a Ph.D. in arts education with a specialization in arts administration focusing on service to people with disabilities from Florida State University; an MFA in sculpture from the University of Georgia; and a BA magna cum laude in studio art from Old Dominion University.

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Home and Building Design for Successful Aging - Colleen Kelly Starkloff, Director of Education and Training, The Starkloff Disability Institute

Colleen Kelly Starkloff is co-founder, with her husband Max, of the Starkloff Disability Institute. Ms. Starkloff currently serves the Institute as Director of Education and Training and manages the Curriculum Development division. She is the creator and organizer of the Universal Design Summit, a series of training conferences that teach people how to incorporate Universal Design into home and community design projects. Ms. Starkloff is a 1993 graduate of Coro's Women in Leadership Program. She was appointed a Commissioner for the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission in 2001 and served as its founding Chairperson.

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Artistic Activities & their Therapeutic Benefits for Older Adults - Laura Schmid, Arts Therapist, Parc Provence

Laura Schmid, ATR, LPC is an Arts Therapist at Parc Provence. She is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, Missouri Art Therapy Association, and American Counseling Association. She has a Masters in Art Therapy Counseling and a BS magna cum laude in Psychology from SIU, Edwardsville, and has a special interest in dementia and memory care.

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LIVE PERFORMANCE: "A Conversation with Louise Nevelson" - Nancy Lewis, Actor

A pioneer and grand dame of the art world, American sculptor, Louise Nevelson (1899-1988), is portrayed by award-winning actress Nancy Lewis in this one-woman performance inspired by interviews of the artist.

Nancy Lewis appeared as Escalus in MEASURE FOR MEASURE in 2008 and has worked with many St. Louis theatre companies. She was a 2006 recipient of a Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play for her work in The Orange Girls' production of GOING TO SEE THE ELEPHANT.

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Community Service & Life Enrichment through Volunteerism: What Organizations & Volunteers Need to Know -

Panelists: Mary Hutchison, Executive Director, Community Council of St. Charles County and Gin Wachter, Council President, Docent Council of Metro St. Louis.

Mary Hutchison of the Community Council of St. Charles County along with Gin Wachter of the Docent Council of Metropolitan St. Louis speak about the benefits of volunteerism and how it serves to enrich lives. The panelists provide information to the volunteers and the organizations that rely on volunteerism.

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Creative Expression Through Safe, Ergonomic Gardening -                           
Debra Ebel, Master Gardener, Kemper Center

Create a beautiful garden while benefitting from physical activity. Master Gardener Debra Ebel will provide ideas for creating visually appealing gardens while sharing information for easy ways to protect yourself while working in your garden.

Master Gardener Debra Ebel of the Kemper Center instructs the audience on creating garden landscapes. Debra also presents on the the physical benefits of gardening and useful tips on protecting yourself in the garden.

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Home Design for Successful Aging / Ask the Designer

Panelists: Kandace Fisher, MA, UM Extension and Colleen Starkloff, Director of Education and Training, Starkloff Disability Institute

Aging specialist and design expert, Kandace Fisher, will respond to your questions about designing your home environment for visual beauty and successful aging. Conference attendees are encouraged to bring their own pictures, architectural drawings, or other materials of their current residence (in digital format on a USB flash drive if possible) to receive input from the panel on potential modifications and changes.

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Creative Expression & Life Enrichment Through Dance
Tom Brady, MFA, Artistic Dancer & Choreographer

Tom Brady, renowned local artistic dancer, choreographer and member of ANNONYArts, presents on his personal experience of expressionistic art. Speaking on creative expression as well as its physical benefits, Tom will shed light on the payback the arts have on the aging artist.

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