Supporting Midlife Creativity in a Judgement Free Zone: Nantucket Island School of Design and Art

Is there a connection between the relaxed vibe of Nantucket Island School of Design and Art (NISDA) and its way of inspiring creativity in midlife?  This farm-turned-art workshop, with its silos and outbuildings on Wauwinet Road, feels like a true throwback to Nantucket in the ‘70’s, which is when it was founded.  Laura Herhold, NISDA’s program director, talks with host Betsy Bush about NISDA's mission to provide a low-tech, judgment-free environment for creative exploration, with a particular focus on welcoming adult learners who are returning to art.

Laura talks about the psychological barriers that older students often face when learning to create art and emphasized the health benefits of learning new creative skills.  She also details specific programs such as ceramics, painting, and the revival of an analog photography darkroom with a focus on environmentally friendly techniques. The conversation highlights the importance of artistic process over product and the social benefits of creating art in a community setting.

Covered in the Podcast:

• NISDA consciously creates a "judgment free zone" to encourage creativity, particularly for adult learners who are new or returning to art. 
• The school maintains a "low-tech" approach, focusing on creative process and basic materials rather than the latest expensive equipment. 
• A significant portion of students are women over 55 who, after raising families or concluding careers, wanted to reconnect with their creative side.  
• A key challenge for older learners is moving from being an "expert" in their field to being a vulnerable beginner in a studio.
• Getting involved in the creative process is healthy, especially for aging individuals, as it pushes them out of their comfort zones and forges new neural pathways.
• NISDA’s ceramics studio serves as a social hub and a "clubhouse," combating social isolation by providing a collaborative and supportive community space.  

Interviewee Background:
Laura Herhold is the program director at the Nantucket Island School of Design and Art (NISDA). She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design.  She has a long history with NISDA, having been involved in the 1980s and 1990s before pursuing other endeavors and then returning to the school full-time in 2021. She describes herself as both an artist and an administrator with a deep personal connection to the school and a passion for clay.  

Resources:

Nantucket Island School of Art and Design: https://www.nisda.org/ 

Please rate and review on Apple Podcasts. And see more about Betsy Bush and her guests at www.yourcreativemidlife.com. Are you on your own artistic or creative journey? We want to know about you! Please contact us through the website. Dare to follow your muse!