Creativity has brought life to my bones.
The more I create, the better I feel.
As a child growing up, I loved to create. Over time, I let nothing hold me back. Making up stories, rhymes, and songs filled a need. As I extended my creative endeavors to visual arts, I expressed the thoughts and emotions that were inside. I had the freeedom to paint purple trees waving joyfully in the orange sunlight dancing down from turquoise-tinged clouds. I have found the goal to be the “process” not “product”. It is all about “being” in the moment and allowing the “spirit of the arts” to prevail over the present circumstances whether it be struggle or success, pain or comfort.
Life has dealt me some fierce blows from divorce to chronic disease. Being creative in the dark times was the outlet I needed to process the mountain of thoughts that plagued my mind. I now live life with joy because I am able to express myself beyond words.
Laurie examines prototypes with Carrie Yates, an entrepreneur student, who assisted in developing Dancing Hands.
During a very difficult time, a good friend suggested that I start serving. I chose to serve by becoming a friend to the elderly in the nursing home down the road. This was the beginning of the journey I am on now….bringing the arts to the elderly and watching healing take place. Many times, the last chapters of life are wasted because of the loss of identity in life roles. With the wealth of past experiences and the abundance of time, creativity can finally be cultivated.
Dancing Hands is one of my creative endeavors. It was produced in 2007 and represents many aspects of who I am. I am a “tapper” from way back. I did not tap dance with my feet. I tapped with my fingers all day long on my desk all the way through school! I have heard it said that all of us have rhythm from the time we are born. I know it to be true with me and Iam expecting it to last until the day I die.
Dancing Hands launched me out into the world of the elderly and healthcare as I went out into the field to demonstrate Dancing Hands. They have found their place nationwide and they are making a difference. It has become a mission. All proceeds from sales go into getting the arts out into healthcare.
As an activity assistant at Liberty Village in 2009, I discovered that my art and music and drama background brought much energy into our activities as it filtered throughout the entire facility. Many laugh and sing as I go from lounge to lounge and room to room with my guitar or ukelele. Being in this one facility on a regular basis brought lots of comeraderie as I became acquainted with the residents through their creative sides.
I am now doing art in Alzheimer units. I take time out to travel to conventions to present workshops for activity directors. Two of the most popular workshops are:
- Stirring Creativity in Yourself and in Others
- Rejuvenating the Soul with Art and Music
Experiences in the Arts and in Healthcare:
- 2010 Working in 5 different Alzheimer’s facilities as an “artist in residence”
- 2009 Finished Certification as Indiana Activity Director worked as an Activity Assistant and facilitating the arts at Liberty Village in Muncie, Indiana.
- 2009 Most recently, participated in the summer intensive at the University at Buffalo, through the Society for the Arts in Healthcare.
- 2007 Founded Dancing Hands and demonstrated in nursing home care facilities and activity conferences across the nation.
- 2007-2009 Presented workshops at State Health Care Conventions in Tennessee and Michigan. And at Activity Director Conventions in Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana.
- 1973 – 2009 Experience in interactive art and music with all ages
- 1973-1979 Art teacher in Elementary Schools
- 1973 BS/MA degree from Ball State University in Art and Education
Laurie’s Art
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