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Inspired by “Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds” an ABC program addressing Australia’s loneliness epidemic, ManPAC created a 10-week program ‘Art of Connection‘ designed to bring local children and seniors together in a safe, welcoming space to connect through art and creativity. The program ran on Tuesday’s from February to April 2022 for 10 weeks.

ManPAC established this opportunity for young children (pre-school age) to work with a trio of local, experienced and talented artists to develop artistic skills and benefit from the wisdom of their older residents in our community.

Here’s a short video exploring the impact of the program upon the participants sense of belonging, well-being and connectedness. Thank you to our funding partners Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and LotteryWest for their support.

 

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Image of An elderly woman with glasses smiles warmly as a young girl hugs her tightly, both bathed in sunlight. The text above reads The Art of Connection.
Image of A group of children and adults stand indoors, each holding handmade cushions decorated with colourful letters and shapes. Some people wear masks, and everyone appears happy and engaged in the activity.
Image of A young girl in a blue dress holds up a colourful sign that reads The art of connection, decorated with hearts, stars, a rainbow, a cupcake, and other playful drawings.
Image of Colourful painted rocks with positive words like The art of connection, JOY, and LOVE, along with hearts, flowers, and a rainbow, are arranged on a table next to several coloured markers.
Image of A smiling young child wearing a colourful striped hat and a white shirt with bright paint splatters holds a small bunch of flowers. The background is blurred with people and blue flooring visible.
Image of A collection of brightly painted stones with positive words and colourful designs, including hearts, rainbows, and flowers, surrounded by assorted paint markers on a black surface.
Image of An older woman wearing a red shirt and face mask shows a small toy or craft to a young boy with blond hair, who looks at it with interest. They are indoors, near a light-coloured wall.
Image of An older woman with grey hair and a young girl sit closely together, with the girl's head resting on the woman's shoulder. Both are facing away, and there are blurred people and bright colours in the background.
Image of An adult wearing a hat and a child sit together; the adult plays a ukulele while the child smiles joyfully. Both have name tags, and the scene appears cheerful and interactive.
Image of A group of young children dance and play in a classroom with several adults supervising. The kids appear joyful and energetic. One adult wears a mask, and colourful artwork is displayed on the wall behind them.
Image of An older woman in a black and white dress dances with a smiling young girl in a yellow skirt and dark top. They hold hands and make eye contact in a bright indoor room.
Image of A man wearing a hat and red scarf strums a ukulele while kneeling among smiling young children in a classroom setting. An adult in a red shirt stands behind them, engaging with the children.
Image of A child and an older woman wearing a mask work together on a craft project, cutting a decorated cardboard tube. Colourful markers and string are nearby on the table.
Image of A young girl wearing glasses looks through homemade binoculars made from decorated cardboard tubes, while an older woman in a mask and red shirt sits nearby, watching her.
Image of An older woman wearing a red shirt and glasses sits on a chair, smiling and playing a ukulele. She has a name tag and a mask pulled under her chin. Colourful paper flowers are displayed in the background.
Image of A man wearing a mask kneels between a young boy and girl in a classroom. Colourful posters and children’s artwork are displayed on the wall behind them. The children wear name tags and the girl holds a ribbon.
Image of An older woman wearing a blue shirt with colourful flower embroidery and a face mask poses playfully. She has flowers and a butterfly hair accessory. Two young children are nearby, and the background is blurred.
Image of Adults and children play indoors with a large, colourful parachute. Some children are underneath while adults and a few kids hold the edges, lifting it up. Chairs and tables are scattered around the bright, spacious room.
Image of An elderly woman wearing a mask and red shirt helps a young girl with a craft project using colourful beads and pipe cleaners. They are both focused on the activity, sitting closely together.
Image of A group of adults and children, many wearing masks, gather around a table covered with colourful fabric strips. They are smiling, waving, and appear to be working on a collaborative art project indoors.
Image of Two young boys sit together at a table, collaborating on an art project. One holds a marker and draws on paper, whilst the other carefully places blue tissue pieces. Colourful supplies and drawings are visible around them.
Image of A group of people wearing face masks stand indoors, some smiling and gesturing with their hands, suggesting a lively and friendly conversation or activity.
Image of A group of people, including adults and children, stand in a circle in a brightly lit room, mimicking hand movements above their heads during an activity or workshop. Some participants are wearing face masks.
Image of A man wearing a face mask crouches and speaks to two young boys standing side by side. The man is gesturing with his hands, and the boys are facing him, listening attentively. The background is slightly blurred.
Image of An older woman in a blue floral dress bends down to hand a small object to a young girl with a ponytail. Several people, including children and adults, are visible in the background of a brightly lit room.

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