Devonport Regional Gallery: Unleash your inner Shakespeare this Seniors Week

Unleash your inner scribe during this year’s Seniors Week (10 –16 October), by finishing the sentence “As I Age…” on the large chalkboard located at Devonport Regional Gallery.

This As I Age chalkboard hopes to inspire locals to share their thoughts on getting older. The As I Age wall is a joint project between Devonport Regional Gallery and Feros Care with the intention of igniting thought and conversation about getting older.

“We want the whole community to start talking about ageing, and to break down negative stereotypes, and to prove that life doesn’t stop at 70.” – Dianne Sheehan, Education and Public Programs Officer, Devonport Regional Gallery

Ms Jennene Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Feros Care said this local community project follows on from the overwhelming success of Feros Care’s roadshow last year that saw our over-sized As I Age chalkboard (2 metres high by 10 metres long), appear at various national writers festivals.

“We had overwhelming feedback from people wanting to be part of the As I Age conversation so we decided to partner with local organisations including Devonport Regional Gallery.

“The As I Age wall has been one of the biggest and most provocative community campaigns Feros has ever done. We work hard to constantly challenge the perceptions and stereotypes of ageing.” – Ms Jennene Buckley, CEO Feros Care

“The As I Age installation in Devonport is impossible to ignore, as is ageing! What better time than Seniors Week to celebrate ageing and to talk about peoples aspirations and dreams as they get older. We are pleased to be working with Feros Care on this important community initiative to get our local community thinking and talking about what ageing means to them, and what their aspirations are for seniors.

“I urge everyone to help get the conversation started, get involved, have some fun, and chalk their comments on the Wall, which is located at the Devonport Regional Gallery” – Dianne Sheehan, Education & Public Programs Officer, Devonport Regional Gallery

Some of the comments people wrote last year include:
• …I will look in the mirror at my lines and be grateful for everyone of them
• …I want to let go of my fears and inhibitions, and live the life of my dreams
• …I do not giggle with a full bladder

The As I Age wall is part of Devonport’s Seniors Week program of events, available on the Devonport City Council website here: http://www.devonport.tas.gov.au/Events-Activities/Seniors-Week-2016
Dianne Sheehan Education & Public Programs Officer