The New Orleans Museum of Art recently hosted an enriching Art Thrives program, which provided a unique opportunity for participants ages 55 and up to engage deeply with art while fostering community connections. The event centered around a special guided tour of the exhibition Wangechi Mutu: Intertwined, followed by a hands-on collage-making session led by artist LaVonna Varnado-Brown.
Since its inception in 2022, the Art Thrives program has consistently offered older adults a platform to explore new skills and creative outlets. This particular session was no exception, diving into the impactful career of Kenyan–American artist Wangechi Mutu. Participants dove into Mutu’s artistic evolution from the mid-1990s to the present, examining the themes and progressions that define her work.
Participants expressed their enthusiasm for the event, praising the insightful tour and the interactive workshop. One attendee shared, “Congrats on putting together a wonderful tour of [Mutu]’s retrospective today. NOMA Deputy Director Lisa Rotondo-McCord and LaVonna played off of each other’s commentary perfectly. LaVonna also added the eyes and voice of an active artist and culturist which for me, was the sprinkling of gold!”
The collage-making session, led by Varnado-Brown, proved to be a highlight for many. Attendees were provided with all necessary supplies and guidance to create their own collages inspired by Mutu’s work. The workshop encouraged participants to explore themes such as process and aging, archiving and legacies, naming oneself, and the language of life.
One participant remarked, “The curated talk and viewing of the artist’s work was so informative and really added to the overall understanding of the art and connected to the finished collages. The amount of time for that felt just right. Mrs. Varnado-Brown was a joy. Her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm are contagious. She did a great job leading the workshop. I appreciate that we had all of the supplies needed, and we were able to take some home to complete our projects and explore more.”
The success of this Art Thrives session underscores the value of offering programs that cater to older adults, providing them with meaningful ways to engage with contemporary art and build community. By creating spaces where participants can learn, reflect, and create, NOMA continues to foster a vibrant and inclusive environment for the arts.