Leigh Rodenbough hates the word "retired."
"Retirement is the kind of thing you do when you go to bed, but I'm not in bed and I'm not ready to quit," says Rodenbough, 84.
The Greensboro resident, who considers himself a "former" lawyer as opposed to a retired lawyer, is still as sharp as anyone half his age and has little interest in relaxing or playing games of bingo with friends during his so-called golden years.
Instead, he would much rather peruse his childhood passion: painting.
"When an art piece comes together and everything goes right, it almost feels like you're so concentrated that your arm separates from your body," says Rodenbough, who paints North Carolina landscapes and seascapes. "It's a wonderful feeling and very inspiring in a personal sense."
Rodenbough is one of almost 150 local senior artists and performers taking part in Create and Celebrate Elder Arts, a monthlong event sponsored by the Center for Creative Aging-North Carolina, which specializes in enriching the lives of older people through arts instruction.
Nine of Rodenbough's paintings will be displayed at Studio B at the Broach Theatre.
Throughout May, Create and Celebrate Elder Arts events will include theatrical performances, live readings and public storytelling across the Triad.
The purpose is two-fold: to elevate creativity among older adults, and then share their work and talents with the public.
"People can see everything from photography and digital art, oil paintings and pastels," says Lia Miller, one of the co-founders of CCA-NC.
Few people are more suited for her job than Miller, who also works for Shepherd's Center of Greensboro, a program that allows older adults to teach each other the skills they need to remain independent.
"When I was young, I played with all my friends who were my age just like any other kid," Miller says. "But I was also the kid who knew all the old people, and I would go and visit them and they would give me the best food, the best cookies, ice cream, and all this homemade stuff, and they had the most wonderful stories."
One of the primary goals for CCA-NC, Miller says, is to confront many of the negative attitudes and stereotypes that people have about the elderly -- stereotypes such as the belief that all elderly people are senile, invalid or devoid of value in society.
However, for Miller, one of the most important goals of CCA-NC is to give elders a voice and new means of expression through the arts,
"It's not the product, it's the process; it's how people feel when they are creating," Miller says. "When I teach classes, I say, 'We are not trying to make masterpieces here; we are here to enjoy making art.' "
While teaching seniors the joy of making art, Miller has witnessed the psychological benefits firsthand.
"There was a woman who told me that she would be dead if it were not for painting and literally meant it," Miller says.
Miller believes that the existing art programs in elder care facilities are maxed out in terms of funding and manpower. She hopes that Create and Celebrate Elder Arts and other future events like it will inspire artists and arts organizations to become interested in leading and sponsoring educational programs for older people ---- not only for the benefit of the seniors, but the younger people involved, too.
"If people could just witness what I see on a regular basis, there would be this positive image of aging," Miller says, "and people wouldn't be afraid of getting old."
Contact Joe Scott at movieshowjoe@gmail.com.
