How long have you been enrolled in the SMC Emeritus program?
2 years
What was your occupation prior to retirement?
I am not retired. I work as the Lead Teaching Artist for the Arts Council for Long Beach. I also have other communities I work with making mosaics. I was trained as a CJEAI Creative Journal Expressive Arts Practitioner in 2021. I love the work I learned from Dr. Lucia Capacchione and the non dominant hand. Artists never retire!! :)
What was your highest level of education?
Earned College Bachelor Degree or higher.
What are the top three reasons why you value the SMC Emeritus Program?
- Validates lifelong learners
- Adore my choir teacher and the Gospel Choir
- Builds community
Pearls of Wisdom: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
Embrace what you love to do regardless of what anyone else says or thinks
How would your advice to your 50-year-old self differ?
Thank you for embracing your love of art regardless of what anyone says or does.
What are some of your biggest accomplishments in life?
-
Gracefully, surrounded by loved ones, let our dog Otis leave this life instead of suffer.
-
Being self supporting doing what I love, part time, in an expensive city like LA.
-
Having friends I've known for 20, 30, 40, 50 years still in my life
-
Sharing my love of music at many many many concerts dancing with loved ones.
The SMC Emeritus Program has helped me as a lifelong learner because it offered me the opportunity to learn to sing Gospel songs with a choir. And with the inspired and gifted William Bryant.
The best part about being an SMC Emeritus student is the new friends you meet on this next adventure.