JAN GADSON LOUISSAINT

In 2018, I created the Artful Meditation Workshop Series as a way to help heal from the trauma of surviving breast cancer. Each Silk Blooms flower arrangement I created at my kitchen table brought me immense joy and encouraged my healing as I walk this survivor path in faith. This prompted me to share my joy of living with my community. Sharing this floral & craft arts ministry has taught me there is still so much more to understand, new ways to learn and grow, and greater opportunities to give and experience kindness and joy.

I began sharing with the older adult community because of my previous work. Since 2010, I have worked as a family case manager and a senior resident services coordinator. In these roles I was engaged in training, securing community resources, and developing programs for older adults.

Now, I present Silk Blooms Floral Arts & Artful Crafts to Public Libraries, Community Centers, Senior Centers and older adult groups, meeting wonderful over 55+ adults.

Each workshop I present is an opportunity to share my talents while continuing to heal, learn, and grow. You can do a little thing that makes a big difference in someone else’s life. I am grateful and blessed for each day of life and inspired to share with as many older adults as I can. In 2024, I continue to offer crafts & floral workshops to adults and seniors in a variety of venues. My workshops have proven to help participants learn new skills, decrease social isolation, encourage a sense of achievement and experience creativity. Boston Senior Magazine graciously captured the essence of my work in the November 2022 issue.

All of these activities enhance my recovery and survivorship! I have learned along this path of charting a different life, that no one is "too old" to learn new things and enjoy new experiences! My goal is to help transform the older adult community and create "New Beginnings". It's my hope that Artful Meditation Workshops helps to break through negative stereotypes about ageing and promotes your bloom! It's not about age, its about attitude!!!!

Artful Meditation Workshops

Current Workshops Available

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ABCD Roxbury Senior Creating Candles & Florals 4 Winter 23

ABCD North End Silk Florals on Canvas Board Oct 2023

Spring Things Isolation Arts March 2020 (1)

Artful Collages: Never To Late Crafts

Coffee & Tea Floral Arts

Decoupage Arts (Vase, Plates, Wineglasses)

Hope Floral Arts Cards

Holiday Candle & Floral Arts Center Pieces

Floral Canvas Arts

Moss Arts

Fall & Spring Container Arts + Crafts

Gratitude Journal Craft: It's Your Story

Fall Holiday & Spring Wreaths

Resin Pressed Florals ( Plates, bowl, framed art)

The Artful Meditation Workshops are two-hour healing arts and crafts activities for older adults and seniors residing in Boston neighborhoods. Artful Meditation Workshops aim to bring the joy!!! We advocate gentle, thoughtful teaching with a focus on finding an individual approach to creativity. Workshops include meditation, hand exercise, self-reflection activities and music to transform the group experience. These workshops encourage relaxation, help relieve stress and anxiety and decrease social isolation. I never take for granted the impact that one can have in someone else's life as I work with my community. I am able to share my passion and talents with others through discussion, demonstration, instruction and encouragement as many seniors try new things that can also help them blossom.

Group sizes range from 8 – 15. Workshop fee is $400 per workshop, or 2-3 workshop bundle for $775 (2) - $1125 (3). All workshops include individual art bags, and opportunities for participants to win raffle gifts. Since 2019, workshops have been supported by the City of Boston, Office of Arts & Culture, Mass Housing Finance Agency, Tenants Assistance Programs. Most recently we have received the Massachusetts Cultural State Grant Award in 2023, and the City of Boston Opportunity Grant Award for 2024.

In addition, Artful Meditation Workshops received a micro grant from Grimes King Foundation and a donation from Homecare by Grace during 2023. This funding enables Artful Meditation to expand services to more underserved seniors of color and develop an artful healing training video that shares the essentials of art as a creative healing tool.