“Arts Path is about presenting professional artists residencies throughout a five-county region – Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Indiana, and Jefferson Counties, “said Jim Wacker, coordinator of Arts-In-Education Services at IUP.  “We have placed those professional artists with residences in schools, communities, senior centers, and a variety of organizations where they work with the population on whatever art form that the artist is.”

Donna Little, a metal smith, (pictured below) is offering participants an opportunity to make jewelry and have a completed piece by the end of the program May 31.

Wacker pictured with Little (wearing a piece of her jewelry).

Clarion had its first session on Tuesday, and future sessions are scheduled for April 12, April 18, April 19, April 25, May 2, May 17, May 23, May 24, and May 31.

Similar 10-day programs are going on throughout Pennsylvania and are also part of a research project by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.  Wacker said the Department is very interested in the program and helping to support it financially, determining how the residencies affect seniors, if it was a positive experience, and how it helps them.

“There are 14 different organizations within Pennsylvania that arts and education partners like Arts Path,” said Wacker. “They are located at different institutions and not necessarily universities–the Arts Council of Erie, Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Pittsburgh Center of he Arts, Southern Allegany’s Museum of Art. All are organizations that have their own mission, but also do this outreach with residency artists and we work with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to offer a creative residence.”

Wacker said the Lively Arts provides a variety of services, including IUP Community Music School, educational outreach with touring artists brought on campus, and Arts Path.

For more information on Lively Arts go to iup.edu/LivelyArts.