SCC Older Adult Education Art Show
A First of Many: SCC Older Adult Program and Art Department Join Forces for Inspiring Spring 2025 Gallery Debut
This spring, Santiago Canyon College celebrated an exciting milestone as its Older Adult Program (OAP), part of the Division of Continuing Education, hosted its first-ever collaborative art exhibition in partnership with the college’s credit Art Department. Held in the SCC Main Campus Gallery, the event marked a meaningful moment of intergenerational learning, cross-campus collaboration, and artistic achievement.
Coordinated by Amanda Paiz, Assistant Professor and OAP Program Coordinator, the show featured 55 original student works spanning multiple noncredit art classes. The exhibition included students aged 45 to 95—many of whom were either returning to education after decades or exploring art for the first time. For some, the process of completing a piece spanned multiple semesters, demonstrating not only dedication but the layered expression that comes with life experience.
In prior years, the art show was housed in classroom spaces. This year’s move to the campus gallery, and the integration with SCC’s credit Art Department, opened new doors, both literally and symbolically. Students and their families, as well as residents shuttled in from local senior and residential facilities, mingled with college students and faculty, reinforcing the OAP’s mission to build bridges across generations and educational paths.
With nearly 60 guests in attendance, the evening culminated in a heartfelt address from a 95-year-old student, a lifelong learner and PhD who shared how the arts, and the community fostered through SCC’s OAP, continue to enrich his journey.
The Older Adult Program offers classes across more than five disciplines, including Health and Wellness, Seminar, Music Arts & Theory, Nutrition and Cooking, and, of course the Creative Arts. Courses are offered across a vast network of locations, including college campuses, senior centers, and residential facilities. The program continues to expand, with a growing focus on intergenerational learning and lifelong access to education.
Amanda Paiz welcomes any questions about the program, course offerings, or partnership opportunities. With new classes starting this summer across multiple locations, we invite you to explore what’s available and discover how the Older Adult Program can support lifelong learning and community connection. Email paiz_amanda@sccollege.edu for information or visit SCC’s Older Adult Program to browse our current offerings and get involved.
