Transitioning into the golden years opens up more time and freedom to pursue the hobbies we may have missed throughout our careers. Harbor Heights, a 55+ Community in Olympia, sees the value and meaning the arts bring to our lives and provides ongoing opportunities to get creative with artistic activities. From paint and sips events to the onsite crafts room, residents at Harbor Heights can find plenty of ways to tap into their artistic side and keep the creative juices flowing. Schedule your tour of the community today and find your waterfront home in downtown Olympia.
Artists Unite in Retirement at Harbor Heights
Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down. For artists living at Harbor Heights, there are many ways to stay active and involved in the community. John and Maia O’Brien have been passionate about the arts for their entire lives and have found a place to promote their art and help others living at Harbor Heights. Maia was exposed to all the arts in childhood, studied dance in college, then went into the medical field as a physical therapist for 37 years. Before that, she earned her Master’s Degree in Dance therapy and she used that knowledge to integrate into her work in the medical field. “It really is two different worlds and is hard to bring the arts into the medical field, but now I have even more opportunities to delve into the arts.”
John also worked in the medical field for 43 years as a physician assistant after serving a stint in the military as a medic. Even throughout their careers, John and Maia still made time to support the arts in their local community wherever they could. They ushered at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts for five years when they first moved to Olympia in 2007, and also performed in a marimba band for six years. John and Maia still enjoy Olympia’s lively performing arts scene as audience members.
A few years ago, they purchased an electric keyboard for John and he rekindled his love for music. “My mom had seen something in me when I was a kid that I didn’t see in myself, and she thought I would be a good piano player,” says John. “Fast-forward to later in life, I have rediscovered my love for the piano.”.
Partnerships for Arts in Downtown Olympia
Both Johan and Maia have found Harbor Heights a welcoming community for their artistic endeavors. John plays piano regularly and has performed occasionally at Harbor Heights for gatherings and events. He also plays at the Senior Services for South Sound and contributes to a program called Music Mends Minds in an effort to promote cognitive health in fellow seniors. “This program has shown to be the most effective way to prevent cognitive decline and dementia,” he explains. John is deeply passionate about using music to create better health and longevity for people, and sees the amazing impact that this practice can make on the mind even in old age. He has found continued purpose in supporting the health of those around him, especially through the arts.
With the Senior Services only two blocks away from Harbor Heights, it has been a convenient spot to get involved and stay connected. Maia has also found ways to get involved with and support lifelong learning through this great organization. Maia will be teaching astrology at the Parks, Arts, & Recreation Department within the Senior Services building and is also working on a creative art therapy workbook to promote vitality for seniors through therapies like drama, dance, art and journaling. These things combine her passions of art and education, which have been incredibly rewarding in her retirement. “We love the programs,” she shares. “They provide opportunities for seniors across the age span to learn a wide variety of topics. Now we both have a chance to get involved again in some things that we are really passionate about.”
John and Maia have been thrilled with the community and social connections they have been able to develop now that they live at Harbor Heights.
“Living here is kind of a dream come true that I didn’t know I had,” says John. “A big part of it is that we continue to cultivate relationships with others, and it feels really good. We have made more friends here in the last five months than we did in 15 years of living in Olympia.”
The vibrant community of Harbor Heights and downtown Olympia has given them endless opportunities to stay connected and active in the arts.
Discover the Arts Within Harbor Heights
Even if you don’t have a history of the arts in your own life, you can still find ways to get involved at Harbor Heights. The community has its very own crafts room to do all sorts of fun activities, as well as regular events to encourage residents to get started in a new art form. They recently hosted a paint and sip night for their residents, and host seasonal craft activities like Halloween mask painting or gingerbread house building. No matter the time of year, there is always something new and fun at Harbor Heights to help you discover your inner artist. Stop by for a tour and see how you can find your very own community at Harbor Heights. You can also find more by visiting the Harbor Heights website.
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