Nomination: Lolo Sarnoff
Lolo Sarnoff is the 97-year-old founder of Arts for the Aging (AFTA), a nonprofit organization that provides arts engagement programs for older adults in the Greater Washington area.
Scientist, sculptor and arts supporter Lolo Sarnoff has never let age define her. In 1986, while a trustee at the Art Barn, which she helped found, Lolo was contacted by one of the N.I.H.'s Directors to inquire if she would be interested in teaching art to Alzheimers' who were spending six months at the N.I.H. The new art program was an immediate success which continued for the duration of the patients' stay at the N.I.H. In the fall of 1988, at the age of 72, Sarnoff founded Arts for the Aging, Inc. (AFTA). AFTA is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that engages older adults in health improvement and life enhancement through the arts. She served as President and in 2004 became Chairman of the Board.
What began as an experiment to help patients with Alzheimer's soon became a full time project dedicated to ameliorate the lives of fragile seniors in the Greater Washington Area. By giving seniors a creative outlet, AFTA helps improve the quality of life and the person's own sense of accomplishment.
Lolo quickly saw the benefits of sharing ones talents and helping others to realize theirs. In 1992, she testified in front of Congress about the importance of artistic stimulation for Alzheimer's and other impaired seniors and the necessity to increase funding for senior day care centers. "Art is no cure," she said in an interview published in the Swiss American Review (April 6, 1995), "but it restores a feeling of self-esteem and well-being and diminishes some frustration."
AFTA has grown to employ 12 professional artists, who lead approx. 600 arts workshops annually in 20 senior day care centers. Lolo is now 97 years old and will always be considered the “spirit” of AFTA. She recently shared with one of our teaching artists that her goal is to live until 100, and we have no doubt she will succeed! This year AFTA celebrates its 25th anniversary.
8 comments
R. Peter Wolf • about 13 years ago
It is well-known that exposure to the arts gives a significant boost to the quality of life of the elderly. Lolo Sarnoff's organization, Arts for the Aging, has developed a model for making both visual and performing arts accessible to seniors.
Annetta Dexter Sawyer • about 13 years ago
For the last 25 years Arts for the Aging, Inc. (AFTA) has been enhancing lives through the arts! We are a dedicated group of teaching artists that work daily at community centers, nursing homes, adult care centers, & more...bringing vibrant arts, intergenerational programs, story-telling, opera, music, dance, poetry, & visual arts that allow older adults to experience the best of humanity through artistic expression. Thanks to all the nominees. Lolo Sarnoff founded Afta, Inc. May she be honored.
cynthia fehr • about 13 years ago
Lolo Sarnoff is the best and has dedicated herefforts to enriching the lives of the elderly.
Julia C. Sacasa de Checa • about 13 years ago
"Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art." - attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt
Beautiful Lolo Sarnoff is AGE-LESS to me...she is an inspiration
Julia Casimira Sacasa de Checa
Melissa Godoy • about 13 years ago
I wonder how Lolo's sculptor mind helped to reveal what the world needed, but just didn't know it yet.
Sandra Fields • about 13 years ago
Lolo Sarnoff - thank you for your commitment and dedication over the years to art and life enrichment for those with memory loss challenges. Your commitment to establishing the Arts for Aging concept has been used by many and appreciated by even more agencies and families. We have seen how art through music, drawing, painting and dance have made a difference in the lives of someone with dementia. Art calms one's spirit and touches one's soul. Kudos to you and your vision! Wishing you a long, healthful life! Sandra Fields, Great Falls Assisted Living Community
Barbara Lott • about 13 years ago
Lolo is an amazing woman who once she touches your life she never lets go. Her accomplishments have been well documented and she is still is going strong at 97. She is an inspiration not just to the elderly people she helps but to all of us. You're my hero Lolo.
Brandi Rose • about 13 years ago
It is so touching to read these wonderful comments about Lolo! Although she only came into my life when I joined the Arts for the Aging staff almost two years ago, I am forever grateful for her spark and powerful life force that brought AFTA into being - something that impacts people every day in a meaningful way. She is a role model for me in the way she took her passion for art and turned it into something that would help others find meaning through creativity. She is one remarkable woman!