Campus Classes
On our 10 acre campus, we offer a wide variety of classes in visual arts as well as literary, performing, and environmental arts for people who identify as aging (which is all of us!). Popular classes include mixed media, watercolor, acrylic, wheel throwing, hand-built clay, woodburning, sewing, weaving, gardening, cooking and more. Come take a tour!
Training/Consulting
Training and consulting are available for staff in aging services who would like to broaden their knowledge and discover personal creative skills so they can develop more meaningful programming.
Presentations & Workshops
Educational presentations and interactive workshops about the field of creative aging are available for conferences, associations meetings, civic clubs, older adult ministries, senior centers, and others throughout the state. Presentations cover the evolution of the creative aging field, the research that supports it, model programs, and more. Workshops incorporate creative self-expression activities for the participants.
Outreach Classes
Since founded, we have been providing visual arts as well as literary, performing, and environmental arts in long-term care communities, senior centers, libraries, adult day care, and other locations where elders live and gather. We foster creative self-expression where older people feel free to explore without the fear of being judged. Because of this, participants experience increased self-confidence, become more socially engaged, learn new skills, rediscover existing talents, and feel a greater sense of overall well-being.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a key tenet of our work. While our focus is primarily in the Greensboro area, we have established a reputation for successful collaboration with local, state, and national partners. To promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, we often offer classes and special projects designed for specific elder groups such as refugees and immigrants, Native Americans, Jewish, LGBTQIA+, caregivers, people with dementia, and more.
Creative Kits
A perfect gift for family and friends, CAN Creative Kits include all the supplies along with step-by-step instructions, project descriptions and photos to engage people of all ability levels in the art-making process. Pre-recorded demonstrations as well as telephone and email support are provided to recipients of the gift, including older adults, activity directors, and/or family caregivers as needed. Order online at
SPECIAL PROJECTS
ARTmail
Edith and Ava, art partners from two different aging care communities, meet each other for the first time at the culminating reception of the ARTmail exhibition. Similar to pen pals, ARTmail partners exchange art boxes over time and build on each other’s artwork. The project uses Abstract Expressionism and shared art-making experiences to teach visual art skills, increase socialization, and reduce loneliness.
Arts for English & Citizenship Prep
Working closely with community partners, especially Montangard Dega Association, our program helps refugees and immigrants increase language proficiency to qualify for citizenship classes, make connections with others, and acclimate to life in Guilford County. In this program, participants build new art skills and share their own cultural traditions while learning and improving their English language skills.
Wisdom: Artist Residency Series with Older Adults
The project was launched with Creativity Matters Training for young artist Karen Lynch Harley, teaching her techniques for engaging older adults in art-making through life review and lessons learned. Karen provided information about traditional Haliwa-Saponi symbols and their meanings, and encouraged the elder tribes people to incorporate meaningful symbols into their Mandalas and masks. This art was exhibited in Greensboro, in Durham and at the tribes annual pow-wow in Halifax.
Get In Touch
Location: 2400 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
Telephone: 336-303-9963
Email: info@can-nc.org
Hours: M-F: 9am – 5pm
Meet our Staff
Board of Directors
