Mieny Offringa-Salomons (81 years old) is happy to participate in Art through the letterbox. Mieny has been living with husband Fokko for five years in a very nice spot in Fluitenberg. Two people with a great love for art, culture and nature, that is not to be missed when you visit them at home. Mieny is a volunteer at a residential group near Amsheerd, regularly attends church coffee mornings and sings with her husband in two choirs. Their foster children and grandchildren play a major role in their lives.
Mieny has to get something off her chest. And she puts it clearly. ,,When you are born, you are classified with the babies, they are all the same, but in the meantime there are already small differences. If you are of primary school age, the differences between them increase even further. And as an adolescent you look even more for your own identity. After all those phases, you eventually become an adult. And suddenly there comes a moment: you are no longer an adult, you are suddenly old. You are approached as an elderly person, you are no longer asked for anything, you are, as it were, ‘classified’ with the elderly. We, the others, know what’s good for you. No, I can decide that for myself. We don’t all have to love Willeke Alberti, do we?”
Zeemansliedjes of Bach
Fokko (81), Mieny’s husband adds: ,,I play sea shanties for a group of disabled people, but not everyone likes ‘hopsasa music’. Oh, how the residents enjoyed when I played Bach for them.” Mieny: ,,The gist of the story is: continue to approach people as individuals and ask what they would like and in what way. And I still want to learn new things. That is why I am so happy with my participation in Art through the letterbox.”
Fly swallow, fly!
In corona time, the project started with Fly swallow, fly! Primary school children painted one side of a wooden swallow, then the other side was painted at home by older participants. It was a connection project between different generations in times of corona, ultimately with a presentation during Kunstwark in the Park. Mieny is very pleased with the workshops she was allowed to follow with artists such as Geert Oldenbeuving and Delia Bremer: ,,We were allowed to carry out such beautiful assignments in our own way, I loved it. Take the last assignment: look at yourself, how fantastic you are. I have yet to send it in.”
Broken tree
Mieny shows a booklet with drawings and poems that she has published herself and it is clear that she is still brimming with ideas. ,,There were also nice encounters from the art project, and this fall I will definitely continue. The photo was also taken during a workshop. You could choose a place that suits you. I chose the place with the broken tree in nature. It makes you feel small, and it is as if your problems are also getting smaller.”