Testimonials

As a newcomer to the making of art, for me this class served many purposes, some of them initially surprising. I expected a relatively formal, quiet, cerebral setting in which I would struggle alone to make sense of unfamiliar concepts and materials. "This class would be good for you," a neighbor who is an artist told me. "Yeah, like an elliptical machine is good for me", I thought to myself.

What a surprise! I have taken Artful Aging for almost a year, and it has been a transformative, joyful, and fun experience. I was initially hesitant about my abilities, but with the encouragement of the teacher and other students, I gradually relaxed and began to feel more at home with the experience. I would identify this process of relaxing and opening myself up to something very new as one of the most important parts of this class. As a fairly driven and experienced professional, I realized that my many years of work had made me defensive about attempting something new. I think my brain has changed as a result of this class. The way I think doesn't feel quite as linear. I have always been a museum-goer, but now I experience art in a different way. I feel as if I can enter into it more, or let it enter me. And my interests in various kinds of art have broadened.

Judy Greenwald is a wonderful teacher. She doesn't teach "top down". Rather, she helps students learn by giving enough instruction to get one started, and then encouraging and standing by to give suggestions. Most of all, she communicates a joy that is so motivating you can't help but put aside your defenses and just dive in (ok, maybe not dive in, but at least put a toe in). She prepares each class carefully, and provides helpful demos and warm-up exercises. Her warmth, hospitality, and sense of humor create a community among the people in the class. She sees potential in everyone - genuine potential.

I realize I haven't said anything about how the class contributes to a positive aging experience, which makes me realize that I think this class would be a great experience for adults of any age, particularly for those new to it. I turned 65 while taking this class. For all of the reasons described above, it has helped me see that endings are also beginnings. I feel as if my life has opened up in a way I didn't think it would. I have especially appreciated the camaraderie of the other people in the class. This has been a major source of enjoyment for me. My husband is 83 and has health struggles, and to be able to enter another world for 4 hours a week has been truly life-giving….
—AR
I experienced a powerful sense of community, a sense of purpose and deep joy in the creative process, guided by skillful leadership. I looked forward to the class and the excitement of learning and mastering new approaches to problem solving in an atmosphere of nurturance. Judy created poetic space of deep sharing. Growth of expression flourished. Vocabulary for thoughtful analysis of paths chosen brought particular meaning to this wonderful workshop.
—TK
Artful Aging has been an important experience for me, one I’ve chosen to repeat several times. The supportive, noncompetitive tone set by Judy is shared by others in the class with a generosity in exchanging ideas, providing inspiration and encouragement for each other.

The class provides a safe place to move beyond my comfort zone and nurture such underdeveloped aspects of myself as risk‐taking, letting go, flexibility, and curiosity as well as to practice problem solving. By so doing, the class gives me increased confidence that I will be able to deal more positively with a future of unknown events. I like the “circle time” at the beginning and end of each class, which fosters community. Sharing our experiences and work has helped me get to know my classmates and feel m ore comfortable with them. The warm‐up activities, particularly ones that are done in pairs or communally, add to this.

For me, the most valuable “take‐away” from Artful Aging is probably the shift in self‐ image that’s grown from making art, something I never expected to do and get satisfaction and pleasure from. I’m more willing to take risks, make mistakes, and let go of work I like. I enjoy sharing the experience with a group of peers facing similar challenges of exploring new adventures. I’ve recommended this class to several friends.
—JBI
Artful Aging: Re-Enchantment Through Art/Play was the title of the offering--and you, Judith, delivered what was promised! For starters, the context was magical--with ALL those amazing materials and everything so wonderfully organized. The music was a component I always enjoyed--and the poetry, the other participants--and YOU. In short, I liked all of it--every week and from 9:30 to 1:00!

Artful Aging IS the narrative I'm choosing for my life. I believe our creativity is what needs to be nurtured, celebrated and "listened to" for "catching the thread" of the meaning of our lives at this age/stage.

Being in conversation with a poem, yesterday's activity, was splendid FUN. It was a gratifying way to end the class. Lunch was a bonus--and so, too, was the "Happiness" poem you sent. Thank you for that as well. (The later was an Artful Aging Encore!)
—BL
I taken two sessions of Artful Aging and I'm glad to have this opportunity to provide feedback. It is a wonderful class during which I've enjoyed exploring mixed media under the expert guidance of Dr. Greenwald. With very little experience in creating art, I've been delighted to find that I can produce projects that give me pleasure and of which I'm proud. Being in the company of like minded people, focusing on art and the creative process is fun and uplifting. The fact that we are all "of a certain age" only adds to the experience which runs the gamut from jokes and banter to poetry. I always look forward to class, and future sessions of Artful Aging. It is a unique combination of art instruction and supportive community which I highly recommend!
—MM
Judy is both a teacher and a coach. She is available for consultation whenever necessary. She both encourages and allows; opens doors to new thinking and perceiving. Never controlling nor directing--just exploring possibilities--encouraging me/us to just "try something" and see what happens.

I love beginning each session with a notion/or idea to keep in mind (e.g., today let's approach our work with a "beginner's mind."). Then we move onto a warmup exercise which may introduce a new technique or merely loosen me/us up.

We end each session with a discussion about what we did, how we felt, etc., sharing some of our work, relating the experience to the aging process, and close with a poem or short piece that connects with life, art and/or some of the changes and challenges that aging brings.
—JB
As I've consistently said after each cycle I have taken, I love your Artful Aging workshop for many reasons and feel it is a profound metaphor for living fully through the last chapters of my life. I love the safety you create to "not know," to approach projects with a responsive openness, to experiment, to push past my/our comfort zone, to transform things when necessary. I've learned the lesson of not holding onto a piece of work, even when I'm very pleased with it because it can be turned into something even more pleasing or interesting--or not--and in that case it can be changed again.

I also love the camaraderie that has developed in each of the groups I've been part of. The collaborative sharing not only makes it more fun but it fosters inspiration--trying out technics, approaches, etc. others use.

The classes are great fun and very productive. As an antidote to aging, participants stay active and engaged by happily creating works of art in various media, the mechanics of which are taught by Judy. Each class participant produces works that are unique and reflect our individual styles, despite the fact that we may all be working in the same medium on any given day.

The process honors our individuality and our joy in working independently while part of a congenial group. We typically discuss our work together both before and after each class. These discussions result in a wonderful bonding process. It is helpful to show our work to the others and to hear what they have to say about our work. We embark on great discussions about the interpretation of each of our pieces and the philosophy of the creative process. It is possible to feel a sense of youth and purpose in this activity and engagement. After participating in three of Judy’s classes, I have never seen a truly elderly participant. Yes, there are a few grey hairs. But we are all youthful and we all have fun. We get to laugh at ourselves and the world while doing our work; this keeps us youthful.
—ST

Artful Aging testimonials

As a newcomer to the making of art, for me this class served many purposes, some of them initially surprising. I expected a relatively formal, quiet, cerebral setting in which I would struggle alone to make sense of unfamiliar concepts and materials. "This class would be good for you," a neighbor who is an artist told me. "Yeah, like an elliptical machine is good for me", I thought to myself.

What a surprise! I have taken Artful Aging for almost a year, and it has been a transformative, joyful, and fun experience. I was initially hesitant about my abilities, but with the encouragement of the teacher and other students, I gradually relaxed and began to feel more at home with the experience. I would identify this process of relaxing and opening myself up to something very new as one of the most important parts of this class. As a fairly driven and experienced professional, I realized that my many years of work had made me defensive about attempting something new.

I think my brain has changed as a result of this class. The way I think doesn't feel quite as linear. I have always been a museum-goer, but now I experience art in a different way. I feel as if I can enter into it more, or let it enter me. And my interests in various kinds of art have broadened.

Judy Greenwald is a wonderful teacher. She doesn't teach "top down". Rather, she helps students learn by giving enough instruction to get one started, and then encouraging and standing by to give suggestions. Most of all, she communicates a joy that is so motivating you can't help but put aside your defenses and just dive in (ok, maybe not dive in, but at least put a toe in). She prepares each class carefully, and provides helpful demos and warm-up exercises. Her warmth, hospitality, and sense of humor create a community among the people in the class. She sees potential in everyone - genuine potential.

I realize I haven't said anything about how the class contributes to a positive aging experience, which makes me realize that I think this class would be a great experience for adults of any age, particularly for those new to it.

I turned 65 while taking this class. For all of the reasons described above, it has helped me see that endings are also beginnings. I feel as if my life has opened up in a way I didn't think it would. I have especially appreciated the camaraderie of the other people in the class. This has been a major source of enjoyment for me. My husband is 83 and has health struggles, and to be able to enter another world for 4 hours a week has been truly life-giving….
—AR
I experienced a powerful sense of community, a sense of purpose and deep joy in the creative process, guided by skillful leadership. I looked forward to the class and the excitement of learning and mastering new approaches to problem solving in an atmosphere of nurturance. Judy created poetic space of deep sharing. Growth of expression flourished. Vocabulary for thoughtful analysis of paths chosen brought particular meaning to this wonderful workshop.
—TK
Artful Aging has been an important experience for me, one I’ve chosen to repeat several times. The supportive, noncompetitive tone set by Judy is shared by others in the class with a generosity in exchanging ideas, providing inspiration and encouragement for each other.

The class provides a safe place to move beyond my comfort zone and nurture such underdeveloped aspects of myself as risk‐taking, letting go, flexibility, and curiosity as well as to practice problem solving. By so doing, the class gives me increased confidence that I will be able to deal more positively with a future of unknown events. I like the “circle time” at the beginning and end of each class, which fosters community. Sharing our experiences and work has helped me get to know my classmates and feel m ore comfortable with them. The warm‐up activities, particularly ones that are done in pairs or communally, add to this.

For me, the most valuable “take‐away” from Artful Aging is probably the shift in self‐ image that’s grown from making art, something I never expected to do and get satisfaction and pleasure from. I’m more willing to take risks, make mistakes, and let go of work I like. I enjoy sharing the experience with a group of peers facing similar challenges of exploring new adventures. I’ve recommended this class to several friends.
—JBI
Artful Aging: Re-Enchantment Through Art/Play was the title of the offering--and you, Judith, delivered what was promised! For starters, the context was magical--with ALL those amazing materials and everything so wonderfully organized. The music was a component I always enjoyed--and the poetry, the other participants--and YOU. In short, I liked all of it--every week and from 9:30 to 1:00!

Artful Aging IS the narrative I'm choosing for my life. I believe our creativity is what needs to be nurtured, celebrated and "listened to" for "catching the thread" of the meaning of our lives at this age/stage.

Being in conversation with a poem, yesterday's activity, was splendid FUN. It was a gratifying way to end the class. Lunch was a bonus--and so, too, was the "Happiness" poem you sent. Thank you for that as well. (The later was an Artful Aging Encore!)
—BL
I taken two sessions of Artful Aging and I'm glad to have this opportunity to provide feedback. It is a wonderful class during which I've enjoyed exploring mixed media under the expert guidance of Dr. Greenwald. With very little experience in creating art, I've been delighted to find that I can produce projects that give me pleasure and of which I'm proud. Being in the company of like minded people, focusing on art and the creative process is fun and uplifting. The fact that we are all "of a certain age" only adds to the experience which runs the gamut from jokes and banter to poetry. I always look forward to class, and future sessions of Artful Aging. It is a unique combination of art instruction and supportive community which I highly recommend!
—MM
Judy is both a teacher and a coach. She is available for consultation whenever necessary. She both encourages and allows; opens doors to new thinking and perceiving. Never controlling nor directing--just exploring possibilities--encouraging me/us to just "try something" and see what happens.

I love beginning each session with a notion/or idea to keep in mind (e.g., today let's approach our work with a "beginner's mind."). Then we move onto a warmup exercise which may introduce a new technique or merely loosen me/us up.

We end each session with a discussion about what we did, how we felt, etc., sharing some of our work, relating the experience to the aging process, and close with a poem or short piece that connects with life, art and/or some of the changes and challenges that aging brings.
—JB
As I've consistently said after each cycle I have taken, I love your Artful Aging workshop for many reasons and feel it is a profound metaphor for living fully through the last chapters of my life. I love the safety you create to "not know," to approach projects with a responsive openness, to experiment, to push past my/our comfort zone, to transform things when necessary. I've learned the lesson of not holding onto a piece of work, even when I'm very pleased with it because it can be turned into something even more pleasing or interesting--or not--and in that case it can be changed again.

I also love the camaraderie that has developed in each of the groups I've been part of. The collaborative sharing not only makes it more fun but it fosters inspiration--trying out technics, approaches, etc. others use.

The classes are great fun and very productive. As an antidote to aging, participants stay active and engaged by happily creating works of art in various media, the mechanics of which are taught by Judy. Each class participant produces works that are unique and reflect our individual styles, despite the fact that we may all be working in the same medium on any given day.

The process honors our individuality and our joy in working independently while part of a congenial group. We typically discuss our work together both before and after each class. These discussions result in a wonderful bonding process. It is helpful to show our work to the others and to hear what they have to say about our work. We embark on great discussions about the interpretation of each of our pieces and the philosophy of the creative process. It is possible to feel a sense of youth and purpose in this activity and engagement. After participating in three of Judy’s classes, I have never seen a truly elderly participant. Yes, there are a few grey hairs. But we are all youthful and we all have fun. We get to laugh at ourselves and the world while doing our work; this keeps us youthful.
-ST
As a newcomer to the making of art, for me this class served many purposes, some of them initially surprising. I expected a relatively formal, quiet, cerebral setting in which I would struggle alone to make sense of unfamiliar concepts and materials. "This class would be good for you," a neighbor who is an artist told me. "Yeah, like an elliptical machine is good for me", I thought to myself.
What a surprise! I have taken Artful Aging for almost a year, and it has been a transformative, joyful, and fun experience. I was initially hesitant about my abilities, but with the encouragement of the teacher and other students, I gradually relaxed and began to feel more at home with the experience. I would identify this process of relaxing and opening myself up to something very new as one of the most important parts of this class. As a fairly driven and experienced professional, I realized that my many years of work had made me defensive about attempting something new.
I think my brain has changed as a result of this class. The way I think doesn't feel quite as linear. I have always been a museum-goer, but now I experience art in a different way. I feel as if I can enter into it more, or let it enter me. And my interests in various kinds of art have broadened.
Judy Greenwald is a wonderful teacher. She doesn't teach "top down". Rather, she helps students learn by giving enough instruction to get one started, and then encouraging and standing by to give suggestions. Most of all, she communicates a joy that is so motivating you can't help but put aside your defenses and just dive in (ok, maybe not dive in, but at least put a toe in). She prepares each class carefully, and provides helpful demos and warm-up exercises. Her warmth, hospitality, and sense of humor create a community among the people in the class. She sees potential in everyone - genuine potential.
I realize I haven't said anything about how the class contributes to a positive aging experience, which makes me realize that I think this class would be a great experience for adults of any age, particularly for those new to it.
I turned 65 while taking this class. For all of the reasons described above, it has helped me see that endings are also beginnings. I feel as if my life has opened up in a way I didn't think it would. I have especially appreciated the camaraderie of the other people in the class. This has been a major source of enjoyment for me. My husband is 83 and has health struggles, and to be able to enter another world for 4 hours a week has been truly life-giving.
AR
I experienced a powerful sense of community, a sense of purpose and deep joy in the creative process, guided by skillful leadership. I looked forward to the class and the excitement of learning and mastering new approaches to problem solving in an atmosphere of nurturance. Judy created poetic space of deep sharing. Growth of expression flourished.Vocabulary for thoughtful analysis of paths chosen brought particular meaning to this wonderful workshop.
TK
Artful Aging has been an important experience for me, one I’ve chosen to repeat several times. The supportive, noncompetitive tone set by Judy is shared by others in the class with a generosity in exchanging ideas, providing inspiration and encouragement for each other.
The class provides a safe place to move beyond my comfort zone and nurture such underdeveloped aspects of myself as risk‐taking, letting go, flexibility, and curiosity as well as to practice problem solving. By so doing, the class gives me increased confidence that I will be able to deal more positively with a future of unknown events. I like the “circle time” at the beginning and end of each class, which fosters community. Sharing our experiences and work has helped me get to know my classmates and feel m ore comfortable with them. The warm‐up activities, particularly ones that are done in pairs or communally, add to this.
For me, the most valuable “take‐away” from Artful Aging is probably the shift in self‐ image that’s grown from making art, something I never expected to do and get satisfaction and pleasure from. I’m more willing to take risks, make mistakes, and let go of work I like. I enjoy sharing the experience with a group of peers facing similar challenges of exploring new adventures. I’ve recommended this class to several friends.
JBI
Artful Aging: Re-Enchantment Through Art/Play was the title of the offering--and you, Judith, delivered what was promised! For starters, the context was magical--with ALL those amazing materials and everything so wonderfully organized. The music was a component I always enjoyed--and the poetry, the other participants--and YOU. In short, I liked all of it--every week and from 9:30 to 1:00!
Artful Aging IS the narrative I'm choosing for my life. I believe our creativity is what needs to be nurtured, celebrated and "listened to" for "catching the thread" of the meaning of our lives at this age/stage.
Being in conversation with a poem, yesterday's activity, was splendid FUN. It was a gratifying way to end the class. Lunch was a bonus--and so, too, was the "Happiness" poem you sent. Thank you for that as well. (The later was an Artful Aging Encore!)
BL
I taken two sessions of Artful Aging and I'm glad to have this opportunity to provide feedback. It is a wonderful class during which I've enjoyed exploring mixed media under the expert guidance of Dr. Greenwald. With very little experience in creating art, I've been delighted to find that I can produce projects that give me pleasure and of which I'm proud. Being in the company of like minded people, focusing on art and the creative process is fun and uplifting. The fact that we are all "of a certain age" only adds to the experience which runs the gamut from jokes and banter to poetry. I always look forward to class, and future sessions of Artful Aging. It is a unique combination of art instruction and supportive community which I highly recommend!
MM
Judy is both a teacher and a coach. She is available for consultation whenever necessary. She both encourages and allows; opens doors to new thinking and perceiving. Never controlling nor directing--just exploring possibilities--encouraging me/us to just "try something" and see what happens.
I love beginning each session with a notion/or idea to keep in mind (e.g., today let's approach our work with a "beginner's mind."). Then we move onto a warmup exercise which may introduce a new technique or merely loosen me/us up.
We end each session with a discussion about what we did, how we felt, etc., sharing some of our work, relating the experience to the aging process, and close with a poem or short piece that connects with life, art and/or some of the changes and challenges that aging brings.
JB
We end each session with a discussion about what we did, how we felt, etc., sharing some of our work, relating the experience to the aging process, and close with a poem or short piece that connects with life, art and/or some of the changes and challenges that aging brings.
JB