News & Events
25th Anniversary Events 2013
Event proceeds help support AFTA’s arts engagement workshops for older adults, especially those who are vulnerable and frail.
APRIL 25: Celebrating Artful Living
AFTA kicked off its 25th anniversary year at the Embassy of Finland in April, under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador of Finland. There, friends and supporters of AFTA met honorees the Silver Singers, a chorus of Chinese elders from Family Matters Asian and Pacific Islanders Senior Center who have persevered with AFTA teaching artist Anthony Hyatt through cultural divides and language barriers to create a chorus. Now they make music together and find courage and delight in performing it. Reaching one of the highest achievements in the field of creative aging, the arts now live at the senior center even when AFTA is not there! It was an enchanting evening – we were dazzled by our 97 year old founder Lolo Sarnoff who joined us, and by special guests Judith Terra, Chair of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and WUSA9 anchor JC Hayward, co-chair of AFTA’s 25th anniversary year. Event coverage can be found via Swedish Scene. You can also view photographs here (stephaniewilliamsimages.com) and the event program too from the evening.
MAY 19 Tennis Tournament for All Ages — You Played, Seniors Won
His Excellency Jonas Hafström, Ambassador of Sweden, and Mrs. Eva Hafström were Honorary Chairs of another fabulous Annual Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament — our 23rd for the event, and their 6th year hosting. Though rain washed away most tournament play on Sunday morning, exhibition matches in the afternoon on the Swedish Embassy Residence court were followed by a fabulous evening dinner reception, award ceremony and silent auction also at the residence. We were wowed by junior exhibition players Lilly Lynham, Shannon Hanley, Lizzie Baker and Valerie Ho in an all-USTA-Mid-Atlantic-ranked face-off and celebrity match players Mark Ein, Richey Renenberg, Dan Waldman and Gordi Ernst. Much gratitiude to Junior Tennis Champions Center C.E.O. Ray Benton and Washington Kastles owner Mark Ein who arranged the exhibitions. Co-chair of AFTA’s 25th Anniversary WUSA9 anchor JC Hayward gave a warm greeting to guests and toasted AFTA’s mission. Saluted were Ambassador and Mrs. Hafström for their dedication and commitment to helping ensure the success of this event for AFTA during their time here in the U.S. — they head back to Sweden in June 2013 — and a dedicated tennis committee led by this year’s new event chair Bill Weber and outgoing and long-time chair, AFTA trustee Kuni Matsuda. Thanks so very much to our sponsors, court hosts, patrons, volunteers and friends who made it all possible. Coverage can be found at Swedish Scene and at JCHayward.com; the evening’s program is available here and more photos can be found on Flickr (by stephaniewilliamsimages.com; additional thanks to Kuni Matsuda and Brandi Rose). Contact info@AFTAarts.org if you’re interested in joining the 2014 tennis committee.
SEPTEMBER 9: V.I.P. Reception and tour of the Marden House
Frank Lloyd Wright’s gloriously restored masterpiece. An intimate evening with Founding C.E.O. and Chairman Emeritus of AOL, Jim Kimsey and AFTA’s 25thAnniversary Co-Chairs, distinguished artist and WETA commentator Bill Dunlap and celebrated WUSA9 anchor JC Hayward. September 9, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Space is limited to the bundled giving opportunity listed here or call 301-255-0103 for details.
FALL 2013 BENEFIT: Date and details to be announced.
Other Recent Events
“A Benefit Suited
for All Ages.” On October 22, 2012 at D.C.’s Carnegie Institution for Science AFTA held its Fall Benefit Party Celebrating Art & Science and announced the kick-off of next year’s 25th Anniversary for which acclaimed artist Bill Dunlap will serve as Honorary Chair. Highlights included a champagne pre-reception, opera and spanish dance performances, a keynote address from the National Endowment for the Arts and tributes to a founding circle of longtime contributors. See more in our event photographs, from the evening program, and in coverage from The Washington Post, Bisnow and Swedish Scene.
“The Arts Know No Age.” Read what Montgomery County Gazette Seniors had to say about Arts for the Aging’s CoOPERAtion program with teaching artist Peter Burroughs, from May 2012.
What a sunny day it was for June 2012’s 22nd Annual Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament raising proceeds to benefit AFTA. Round-robin play took place on private home courts in Greater Washington D.C., and semifinal, final and exhibition matches were at Fairfax Racquet and Fitness Club. The tournament’s reception and awards ceremony, hosted by His Excellency Jonas Hafström, the Ambassador of Sweden, and Mrs. Eva Hafström was lovely! You can view our blog and the tennis program for more details and photographs from the event.
“A Grand Success.” In November 2011 was the elegant success of the 23rd Annual Benefit Gala at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It featured presentation of the 4th Annual Lolo Sarnoff Award for Vision and Creativity to Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, Director of The Phillips Collection. View here for the event program and press coverage with Washington Post, Bisnow.com, HollywoodOnThePotomac.blogspot.com, LittleBlackBlog.net
Recent Programs
Read more in our e-news about AFTA programs in the community.
Resources
Creativity and Aging Study, The National Endowment for the Arts
Creativity Matters: The Arts & Aging Toolkit explains why and how older adults benefit from participating in professionally conducted community arts programs. It offers detailed advice and examples on program design, implementation and evaluation and is available, free and online, at www.artsandaging.org
