The Centenarian Portrait Project by Teenagers is a community arts project that promotes intergenerational friendships, celebrates life at 100 (in all its forms) and fights the negative ageing stigma.

It has been previously conducted in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland resulting in an exhibition of 100 portraits of 100-year-olds in each state.

In South Australia, artists will have three months to develop their portrait, which will then be presented in an exhibition celebrating local 100-year-olds.

The teenagers will be able to display through art, their interpretations of those whose life experiences pre-date those of their parents and likely their grandparents too, while the centenarians will be central to a creative and life-affirming intergenerational experience.

Embraced Inc is looking for 100-year-olds, willing to be the subject of a portrait, and artists aged 15 to19, keen to be part of a highly personal creative process. Post exhibition, portraits will be gifted to centenarian participants.

Centenarians and artists will begin meeting in March.

COVID safety is of the utmost importance so if at the time, face-to-face meetings are not possible, the project will involve remote interactions such as letter-writing, zoom sessions, phone calls, and sketching subjects through (closed) windows.

If you know someone who would be interested in being involved – please contact Embraced Inc via info@embraced.com.au, visit www.embraced.com.au or call 0484 197 345.

This initiative is sponsored by Estia Health; the Commonwealth Department of Health; the Office for Ageing Well, SA Health and supported by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Image caption: Artwork of Colin Leavold by Darcie Medlyn