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The Art of Retirement
written by Dan Smith Finding artistic expression during the last quadrant of life is a god-send for many in this region.
A
recent study by the
National Endowment for
the arts concluded that
at older adults who both
created and attended art
reported better health outcomes. That is
physical and mental health.
Art often helps older adults find a
sense of purpose and to expand their
social sphere in retirement. Studies have
found that art participation can reduce
depression and on top of it all, it's fun.
Here is how several people in our region
24 / Retire-VA.com / RETIRE-VA 2023
use their artistic bent to make retirement
a satisfying place to be.
Mary Beth Layman, 67, has been retired
for three years as Vinton's special
programs coordinator and she can't
get enough of the arts, " splitting my
time among creating art, playing music,
organizing dances and socials for the
Roanoke Valley Shag Club " and generally
living fast.
She " painted and created artwork as
a teenager, college student at JMU and
young adult. I used my creative skills
organizing and conducting special events
and working on collaborations with a
multitude of people " during her working
years and " had a tendency to put my
painting on the back burner. "
Music and painting take about an equal
amount of her time, playing piano and
dulcimer (with the Blue Ridge Dulcimer
Ensemble) and being in a handbell choir.
" Painting is an avocation. I am taking
art classes, practicing, and learning by
creating. " Her skills are returning, she

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