Workshops

Participate in a series of workshops, where you can engage with the theme of aging together creatively and better understand innovative approaches to working with the public on matters related to later life. The schedule is still being refined and is subject to change.

Zine creation workshop: Crafting stories of aging together

May 6, 2024, 10:30am to 1pm
Bilingual event in person only.

Florence Darveau-Routhier et Line Grenier, Université de Montréal

Join us for a zine-making workshop as we create small-circulation booklets investigating questions at the heart of B/OLD.

How do we age together? What do we wish to share about different ways we can age, and about everything that comes along with getting older? What sorts of aging futures are possible, here and now? This workshop centered on collective creation will set the tone for B/OLD, bringing together people from different backgrounds around DIY materials and the theme of “let’s age together.” In the spirit of DIY zine creation, workshop participants and facilitators will take part in ideation and creation of a collective zine that will then be compiled, printed, bound, and distributed on the same day.

Re-envisioning music therapy as a creative means for culture change and social justice in long-term care

May 7, 2024, 2:15pm to 3:30pm
Event in English and hybrid.

Laurel Young, Concordia University
Taylor Kurta, University of Waterloo
Miya Adout, MIYA Creative Care

This workshop will employ music experientials and interactive discussions to share and formulate radical ideas that re-envision music therapy as a viable, creative, and collaborative means of realizing culture change and social justice in long term care.

La valise de Lise: a game of puzzles and riddles to counter older adult mistreatment

May 8, 2024, 2pm to 3pm
Bilingual event and in person only.

Constance Lafontaine and Kim Sawchuk, ACT Lab, Concordia University
Sarita Israel, Centre de recherche et d’expertise en gérontologie sociale (CREGÉS)

Lise needs your help to find her wallet. What else will you uncover along the way?

La valise de Lise is an escape-room inspired “game-in-a-suitcase” that is co-designed by individuals from the research, social and community sectors, with the aim of raising awareness on older adult mistreatment and prompting conversations. As players manipulate objects and solve clues and riddles in small teams, they begin to unravel a narrative of older mistreatment within a family. The game is followed by a group discussion to share thoughts, experiences and resources to respond.

Soil and water: propagating empowered aging

May 14, 2024, 11am to 12:30pm
Bilingual event and hybrid.

Andrea Tremblay, mind.heart.mouth and ACTLab
Kim Sawchuk, ACT Lab and engAGE, Concordia University

In light of the escalating expenses associated with food, there is a burgeoning interest in reclaiming self-sufficiency, starting with cultivating food in one’s own home. We extend a warm invitation to participate in “Soil and Water,” our innovative mobile living laboratory. Andrea Tremblay (Soil) will guide a workshop on adopting seedlings and delve into the ethos of mind-heart-mouth connection, alongside discussions on soil-based gardening techniques. Kim Sawchuk (Water) will share insights into her project titled “The Scrapyard,” where she unveils the process of cultivating fresh produce from discarded scraps using the cost-effective and easy “Kratky method.” This method provides a practical hydroponic solution, enabling individuals to establish their own miniature garden within the confines of their homes.

Playing with Age: Disrupting Ageism in Design via Playful Platforms and Techniques

May 14, 2024, 2pm to 3:30pm
Event in English and hybrid.

Paula Gardner, McMaster University

Aging research is loaded with myths suggesting older adults are frail, cognitively impaired, passive, and fear digital technologies. This leads to aging technologies designed to fix deteriorating mind-bodies. In contrast, our ABLE Village project is co-led by risk-friendly older adults, who eagerly experiment with digital technologies, games, and art practices that support growing while aging. This workshop busts aging myths and then invites you to prove us right. Together, participants will play games together in our digital village, to explore the digital play experiences. We hope to discover the unexpected, to manifest digital neighbours, and capture your notes to feed back into ABLE Village’s design. Bring your tablet or borrow one from us to participate in Playing with Age! This workshop is facilitated by Paula Gardner (McMaster University). Bring your tablet or smartphone if you have one!