Deborah K. Coffey
Enriching Minds with Art
Inspiring Connection and Artistic Expression for all ages with a special focus for people living with memory loss
Enriching Minds with Art programs are dedicated to fostering observation and expressive response in art viewing and making. Mindful awareness helps focus attention and sensory perception. Creativity flourishes. All workshops are group-based.
My Expression Through Art workshops are interactive, immersive sessions designed to promote creative engagement by teaching specific skills and techniques in a supportive, collaborative environment. They provide a platform for people of all levels and ages—from beginners to experienced professionals —to explore creativity, experiment with new media, and receive constructive feedback.
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Memory Through Art workshops are designed for people living with memory loss.
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Choose An Art Program
Memory Through Art is a mentally and socially enriching program for people living with memory loss. Workshops engage inquiry, observation and expressive response in art making and encourage independent decision-making.
Wonder Through Art offers sensory-based art activities that let children take the lead in developing their inherent desire to imagine, experiment and discover.
Empathy Through Art explores empathy in relation to specific movements in modern art. These signature workshops emphasize experiential and thoughtful engagement with a subject matter leading to inspired art making.
Expression Through Art offers a variety of art diciplines at introductory and experienced levels; painting, drawing, mixed media, and printmaking. Enjoy learning, practicing and trying somethng new.
Mindfulness Programs bring awareness to our experience in the present moment, non-judgmentally. Creativity and self-compassion flourish. All programs help to enhance emotional regulation and mental and physical resiliency.
About Me
Areas of Expertise
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An extensive career as a professional artist, art teacher and mindfulness instructor.​
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Designing a beautiful and aesthetically pleasing work place in which to welcome participants where the materials and tools invite engagement.​​
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Developing Aging in Place programs for seniors living in senior residencies and condominium communities.
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Facilitating creativity programs, especially for seniors and people living with memory loss and their care supporters.
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Program development, curatorial oversight and equipping art work spaces.​​
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Mentor training and leading professional development classes for teachers and volunteers.​​
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Integrating mindfulness practices into program material to facilitate connection and inclusion among participants.
Bio
Washington, DC is my home since 2023. I've lived and worked abroad for twenty years, in Europe, the Middle East and SE Asia where I facilitated the Mindful Self-Compassion course in academic settings for faculty and staff. Here in DC, I offer MSC at senior living communities, cancer support centers and for care supporters. As a teaching artist I sometimes combine mindfulness practices with artistic expression. My three-part course, “Empathy Through Art”, debuted at the University of Virginia, Fralin Art Museum in Charlottesville, VA. Currently I teach Creative Aging workshops at the Memory Studio in Capitol Hill Village, for people living with memory loss. I am an exhibiting artist and my work can be seen on my artist website: www.deborah-coffey.com
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Resume
Deborah K Coffey
Deborah K Coffey
Washington, DC
enrichingmindswithart.com
deborah-coffey.com (artist website)
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Competencies Summary
An extensive career as a professional artist, art teacher and mindfulness instructor has synthesized, with a focus on senior wellness, especially those living with memory loss. I design and implement mindfulness with art workshops for seniors in independent and assisted living communities and community settings.
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Education and Certifications
- MFA, University of Southern California - Los Angeles, CA
- MA, San Francisco State University - San Francisco, CA
- BFA, University of Kansas - Lawrence, KS
- Mindfulness Teacher Certifications
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Mindful Self-Compassion - USC San Diego
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Mindful Educator Essentials - Mindful Schools
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Teacher Certification – New York State
Experience
- Creative Aging workshop facilitator, connecting older adults living with dementia to self, others, and community through art experiences at The Phillips Collection Gallery and Capitol Hill Village Center (2024-5)
- Teaching Artist – Toddler and Pre-K Family Programming, Two Birds, Washington, DC.
- Mindfulness and Art workshop facilitator at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts – support for cancer survivors, Washington D.C. (2024-5)
- Lead Teacher – Early Learning Center, laboratory school at the Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, VA (2021-3)
- Mindful Self-Compassion personal coach (2022-5)
- Museum Educator – workshop series titled "Empathy Through" Art at the University of Virginia’s Fralin Art Museum, Charlottesville VA, (2021)
- Academic Mentor at the University of Virginia Athletic Department (2020 – 2021)
- Visual Art & Design Instructor, Program Developer and Mindfulness Instructor for students, faculty, and staff at Concordian International School, Bangkok, Thailand. (2010 – 2019)
- Visual Art Instructor and Faculty Representative to the Board of Trustees at Zurich International School, Switzerland (2004-10)
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Other Leadership Experience
- Director of Aging in Place programs for seniors at the 4000 Tunlaw Rd building, Washington, DC (2023-5)
- Co-founder and Executive Director for Sisters Inc., community-based organization serving disadvantaged pre-teen girls through mentoring, creative arts workshops, and community networks. Cummington, Massachusetts USA. (1998-2001)
Awards and Grants
- Pollock Krasner Foundation Grant – support to artists of merit
- Women’s Fund of Massachusetts – project development for community-based NGO
- Art Residencies and Exhibitions nationally and internationally
Memberships
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Insight Meditation of Washington DC
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Center for Mindful Living, Washington DC
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Glover Park Village member and volunteer, Washington DC
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Capitol Hill Art League
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Chevy Chase Art
Get in Touch
Have questions or want to learn more about the programs?
I offer workshops in community, church, residential senior centers and private settings. Feel free to reach out to me using the button below.