~Creative opportunities to enrich the 55+ community~
GENEVA, NY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025—The Dove Block Project, a community arts center in historic downtown Geneva, announces a new series of art camps and workshops designed for older adults in the 2026 season.
For the past four years, The Dove has offered free art workshops and special events for all age groups, including popular multi-age family programs for kids, parents, and grandparents. To date, week-long art camps have been focused on serving school-age children during school breaks.
In 2026, a new line of programming will specifically serve people ages 55-plus in the Finger Lakes community. It’s well documented that older adults who engage in art-making and other creative experiences enjoy many health and social benefits. Creative expression boosts brain health, memory, concentration, and problem solving skills. It also enhances mood, helps reduce stress and anxiety, and increases self-esteem. Physical benefits include improved fine motor skills and sensory stimulation. Socially, art-making in groups encourages playfulness and can reduce loneliness.
"We’re expanding our art camps to include programming for older adults, an often overlooked demographic in many communities,” said Harold Copp, programming chair, volunteer, and instructor at The Dove Block Project. “Our goal is to engage that valued segment of our community through free art education to expand their creative experiences, social connections, and appreciation for the arts."
Week-long camps may include classes for drawing and painting, sculpture, fiber, printmaking, and more. Offerings will vary by instructor. To date, two camps are scheduled for 2026. In March, mobile artist John Vaughn will present “Hanging Out Together: Designing/Making Mobiles. ” In September, artist Harold Copp will teach “Screen Printing for Older Adults.” All materials are provided. Community members can keep an eye on The Dove’s website and social media for announcements of programming as it is offered. Registration is done online at www.thedoveblockproject.org.
All exhibits, workshops and special events programming at The Dove is free of charge to participants thanks to generous grants, individual memberships, corporate sponsorships, and donations. This includes support for these new art camps. The Dove is seeking grants and a dedicated sponsor to ensure programming for older adults can be developed and supported in 2026 and beyond. Interested supporters are encouraged to contact The Dove through the website via the “support” link.
Gabriella D’Angelo, Chair of The Dove Block Project Board of Directors and Associate Professor of Art and Architecture, Hobart and William Smith Colleges comments, “We’re committed to seeing and including all members of our community in our mission to bring enriching art experiences to the greater Finger Lakes region. This new programming for older adults is the latest example of our desire to positively connect our community through creativity.”
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The Dove Block Project is a community arts center in historic downtown Geneva inspired by the creativity and originality of the renowned Geneva artist Arthur Dove, devoted to fostering the arts in the Finger Lakes Region through exciting and innovative exhibitions, events, and programs, which are free and open to all members of the community.
Programming at The Dove Block Project is supported by:
Workshops are supported by the Wyckoff Family Foundation, Rochester Area Community Foundation and
The Looking Out Foundation, and The Linden Shop
Exhibition and special event refreshments: Billsboro Winery and Lake Drum Brewing
Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation
The Dove Block Project is funded, in part, by New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature
Contacts:
(315) 325-8160
@thedoveblockproject
Gabriella D’Angelo
Chair of The Dove Block Project Board of Directors, Associate Professor of Art and Architecture, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY, DANGELO@hws.edu
Location and Hours:
465 Exchange Street, Geneva, NY 14456
Wednesday–Sunday, 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Register for workshops at www.thedoveblockproject.org/workshop-registration