Author
Charlie Markham
Published
November 10, 2025
Tags
As you entered the auditorium at DOROT, you were greeted by a swell of voices that ebbed and flowed through the space. Large black frames lined the walls, each filled with cinematic photographs capturing moments of everyday life. The photographers, a group of five older adults, mingled with guests, sharing the personal significance behind their work. One photographer described a portrait she made of her beloved cat—more than a pet, she said, but rather a true companion who kept her company as she lived alone. Another discussed the images she made highlighting ornate details of the Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. As an avid lover of performance and the arts, she called this space her second home.
As you moved through the gallery, the photographs seemed to speak to one another—portraits of pets, city scenes, and familiar gathering places—all hinting at a deep connection with the people who made them. One image captured the essence of where we stood, showing DOROT’s familiar red wall, our logo visible above the chairs just outside the auditorium. The photo was intended to convey not just a name or a space, but a sense of belonging. “This place has become a lifeline for me,” said the photographer, Helene, in a soft but certain voice.
Her photograph, like so many others in the exhibition, reflected what DOROT is all about—connection, creativity, and community.
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Called A Week in Your Life: Stories in Focus, the exhibit was the culmination of a pilot photography and storytelling workshop that brought together five older adults to explore the theme of aging in New York City. Over several weeks, participants were given creative prompts such as “a place in your neighborhood that brings you joy,” “something in your apartment that’s a barrier or challenge,” and “a moment that defines your day.” Through these exercises, they captured glimpses of their lives that became windows into memory, resilience, and meaning.
The exhibit came about through the Urban Design Forum’s Forefront Fellowship, a leadership initiative cultivating emerging urban changemakers across the fields of design, development, and social advocacy. As a part of the 2025 cohort, my peers and I had the pleasure of exploring the theme of Aging in Place. I intended to explore how the arts can strengthen social bonds and combat loneliness—a mission that aligns deeply with DOROT’s work.
At DOROT, creative programs for older adults don’t just inspire self-expression; they nurture social connection. We regularly offer workshops in music, visual arts, theater, or writing that give older adults opportunities to meet new people or deepen existing relationships, to collaborate, and to continue learning together. They remind us that the arts are not a luxury; they are a vital part of healthy aging.
Research supports what we see every day. A review led by the World Health Organization and University College London found that arts engagement enhances social cohesion, reduces loneliness, and positively influences both mental and physical health. In a related study, researcher Daisy Fancourt found that “those who visited museums, galleries, or exhibitions every few months or more often had 32% lower odds of loneliness compared with those who never engaged.” That statistic feels especially true when thinking about this photography program.
The act of creating and sharing art didn’t only produce beautiful photographs; it sparked relationships. Participants who had never met before began to see themselves reflected in each other’s stories.
During the culminating gallery event, the five photographers sat together for a panel discussion, sharing insights about the joys and challenges of aging. They spoke about wanting to be seen, to be heard, and to know that their experiences still matter. Many in the audience nodded in recognition.
Helene, whose DOROT photo anchored her collection, shared something during our conversations that has stayed with me. “I had a big life,” she said. “And now it doesn’t feel that way anymore.” When I asked what she meant, she paused before continuing, “The people who were part of those big moments—they’re gone. Unless I tell the stories, those memories disappear too.”
Her reflection captures the essence of why the arts matter and why DOROT continues to champion them. The arts have the power to draw out memories, to help people find voice and validation, and to create new pathways of connection across generations. When we share art, we don’t just express ourselves; we pass along pieces of our lives, ensuring they live on in others’ hearts and minds.
As the exhibition closed and the crowd lingered among the photographs, something subtle but profound filled the room—a sense of belonging. The gallery had become more than a display; it was a space of empathy, laughter, and shared humanity.
Helen’s story, and those of the other participants, remind us that combating loneliness isn’t only about being around others—it’s about being known, remembered, and valued. Through creative arts programs like A Week in Your Life, DOROT continues to offer that possibility: a place to come together, to create, and to connect.