Creative Aging is the practice of engaging older adults (55+) in participatory, professionally run arts programs with a focus on skill building and social interaction. Research shows that engagement in these programs fosters positive aging processes, including improved physical and cognitive functions.  The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge endeavors to be part of a growing, intentional shift away from the passive entertainment traditionally offered to older adults, and towards programs that inspire vital creative practices.

The Writer’s Workshop, is a six-week series presented by the Arts Council ofGreater Baton Rouge and designed specifically for adults ages 55+ to explore creative writing styles and techniques. The course takes place in the Derek Gordon conference room at the Cary Saurage Community Arts Center.

Course taught by Rannah Gray. Rannah Gray is a Louisiana public relations consultant whose career highlights include her state’s two favorite pastimes—politics and sports. Her first book, Familiar Evil, is a story straight out of the headlines from Louisiana to London involving the international search for a TV personality that exposed his dark side as a child predator. Familiar Evil has been honored with 14 national and international book awards – including 7 gold medals for Best True Crime. It was the focus of two prime-time documentaries on the Investigation Discovery Network and Rannah has been invited to speak on it throughout the US and in the UK. Rannah has also written two award-winning mysteries for young readers with her twin great-nieces as part of The Louisiana Mystery Series. She earned her B.A. and Master’s degrees in Journalism from LSU.