ATLANTA — Curator of Collections John Daniel Tilford launched “Museum to You” in 2019, a program that brings art from the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art to senior Atlanta residents who may not be able to visit the museum in person. Student volunteers also participate in the initiative, gaining experience in connecting with communities through art.
From the beginning, these visits attracted many art enthusiasts. Tilford would detail the latest exhibition at OUMA through slideshow presentations and lead discussions ranging from French Impressionism to the Harlem Renaissance while visiting senior living centers near campuses such as Canterbury Court, Wesley Woods, and Piedmont at Buckhead.
Senior residents could also share their art with Tilford for his opinion and to get a ballpark appraisal.
Students also participated in “Museum to You”. Taylor Roberts, an art history major, led a 2020 Valentine’s Day effort to bring some love to these senior living facilities by making and delivering cards. During her Mellon Curatorial Fellowship, Roberts had the opportunity to share her experiences working with curators at Atlanta’s High Museum and presenting her art research across the country.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum halted in-person visits for the safety of its patrons. To compensate, Tilford was able to bring the museum to seniors in a virtual Zoom format, ensuring that the pandemic did not disrupt this popular art showcase at OUMA. Tilford has been able to return to in-person lectures now that he has been fully vaccinated.
With city restrictions loosening and many exciting exhibitions on the horizon, Tilford hopes to continue bringing art and community to Atlanta’s senior citizens.