Arts and Healing Across the Lifespan serves as the theme of the 4th annual Creative Age symposium organized by the Arts Council of Washington County.

Jeremy Nobel, M.D., founder of the Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH), is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Preventative Medicine, with masters degrees in Epidemiology and Health Policy from Harvard School of Public Health, where he serves on the adjunct faculty.(Photo: Arts Council of Washington County)

We have brought together some of the best thinkers in arts therapy for this one-day, intensive symposium, said Paula Bell, chair of the event. So much exciting research shows the proven benefits, regardless of age, of participating in the arts for longevity, mobility, cognitive ability and quality of life for all.

The symposium features two inspiring keynote speakers and 14 breakout sessions, with entertainment from a concert pianist. Bell suggests the symposium is targeted to parents and teachers; psychologists; counselors; doctors; caregivers; arts, music and drama therapists; those working with patients with dementia, Alzheimers and Parkinsons; and those aspiring to understand the loneliness epidemic.

Jeremy Nobel, M.D., founder of the Foundation for Art & Healing (FAH), embodies in a most personal way the effort to enlist art and science in the relief of human suffering. Nobel, who is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Preventative Medicine, with masters degrees in Epidemiology and Health Policy from Harvard School of Public Health, where he serves on the adjunct faculty, is also a poet, a photographer, and a teacher a practitioner of the humanities. He is scheduled to attempt to answer the question, Can creative expression be medicine?

Nobel will help participants discover how creative expression reduces the physical and emotional burden associated with various types of health conditions and life circumstances," said Ken Crossley, co-chair of the event.

Nobels Unlonely Project is the signature initiative of FAH, a project whose mission is to broaden public awareness of the negative physical and mental health consequences of loneliness, while promoting creative arts-based interventions to reduce its burden. The project has garnered national visibility, including being featured on the Today Show, The New York Times and Psychology Today. Nobel will present a breakout session, Deep Dive with Jeremy Nobel.

Erica Curtis, certified marriage and family therapist, as well as author, speaker and instructor at UCLArts & Healing, co-authored with Ping Ho, the award-winning book, The Innovative Parent: Raising Connected, Happy, Successful Kids through Art.(Photo: Katie Lubbers)

Erica Curtis, certified marriage and family therapist, as well as author, speaker and instructor at UCLArts & Healing, co-authored with Ping Ho, the award-winning book, The Innovative Parent: Raising Connected, Happy, Successful Kids through Art. As a keynote speaker, Curtis is scheduled to address how art may help parents temper storms of emotion, defuse sibling conflicts, get teeth brushed, and raise happy, successful kids. Her approach has been described as simple, doable and fun.

She believes talking to kids often is not effective, especially when it comes to calming emotions. In her hands-on keynote, Curtis will share art therapy trade secrets to address the countless challenges faced by children and teens when words are inadequate or inaccessible. From anger to anxiety and daily struggles, this session equips the participant with practical tools for calming kids, and is geared toward parents, grandparents, and professionals alike.

Dr. Massimiliano Frani, concert pianist and founder of Genote Health Music, is scheduled to provide entertainment at the Creative Age symposium and will also lead a breakout discussion focused on providing tools to better understand the effects of health music on aging and recovery processes.(Photo: Arts Council of Washington County)

Dr. Massimiliano Frani, concert pianist and founder of Genote Health Music, will provide entertainment on Saturday morning after breakfast and will also lead a breakout discussion focused on providing tools to better understand the effects of health music on aging and recovery processes. Participants may assess health music applications as a non-pharmacological intervention. As master pedagogue, he performs and lectures worldwide about music as medicine and its effects in physical and mental health, education and sports. He has presented Health Music papers, training sessions and conferences worldwide and is the recipient of the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award.

Other presenters include Vicky Morgan, Victoria Petro-Eschler, Debra Eve, Joni Wilson, Chara Huckins, Dr. Brandt Wadsworth, Barbara Lewis, Nicholas Cendese, Karen Carter, Dr. David Tate, Sharon Daurelle, Emily Christensen, Alex Mack, Saundra Shanti and Rev. Claudia Giacoma.

Bell says the event should havesomething engaging for everyone, including music, dance, art, theater, singing and spiritual care.

This symposium and these workshops are topnotch," Crossley said.

The symposium is slated for Saturday, February 29, 2020, at the Eccles Fine Arts Center on the campus of Dixie State University from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an opening reception in downtown St. George Friday evening from 6 p.m. to 8p.m. at ART Provides Gallery, 35 N.Main Street.

Registration and a light breakfast begin at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, with lunch at noon, and speakers and workshops continuing until 5p.m. Both meals and symposium materials are included in a registration fee of $50, with seniors and students charged $35. To register for the event, go to http://www.artswashco.com and click on the ticket link.

For a list of hotels and lodging opportunities, additional information and questions, please call 435-238-4948 or email info@engageutah.org.

In addition, participants may earn CEU credits in physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, social work and arts and music therapy, with up to seven credits available. Applications are available at the registration desk. CEU credits are available for a $15processing fee, which may be prepaid online or with registration at the door.

JJ Abernathy is an arts advocate and musician, and may be contacted at musictimes05@gmail.com.

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County arts council announces 'Creative Age' symposium - The Spectrum