Aging Artfully is the synthesis of Amy Gorman's experience working with aging and in the arts. Her work as a medical social worker with dementia and Alzheimer's patients led to her service as a board member at Lifelong Medical Care/Over 60 Clinic in Oakland, California, which addresses the medical and social needs of the aged.
Amy founded Kidshows in 1982, a non-profit arts organization, to introduce children to the arts, live theater, music, dance and storytelling. During her 18 years as its Executive Director, the professional performers she worked with shared many concerns about getting older and whether or not they could continue earning a living in their chosen art form.
She lives with her husband, George, in Berkeley - says she married him because of his resonant voice, also because he keeps her laughing. Their two adult sons, Ari and Phil, both professional musicians, live in the Bay Area.
Besides hanging out with women artists over 85 -- all aging gracefully, aging positively, and aging creatively-- and shmoozing with many friends, she likes to sculpt ceramic heads, scuba dive in the tropics, travel and watch penguins.
She is part of LPN, the Life Planning Network and is presenting a workshop in Guided Autobiography December, 2010 at the Positive Aging conference. She is a member of the Association of Personal Historians as well as the Northern California Chapter of the organization, and is also a member of the Women's National Book Association.
Courtesy of Aging Artfully dot com.