Tricia Vita - Workshops

Contact Tricia Vita to learn more or schedule a workshop.

What Workshop Participants Are Saying

"Many of my experiences growing up in New York were also shared by others. The group format proved to be supportive and stimulating." – Jim R.

"I learned to reflect on my childhood memories. How wonderful it was sharing some past memories of my family and listening to other seniors' memories as well. One should be involved in the workshop to really find out the beauty of it. I like the fact that some of my memories were written in a small book to cherish." – Iris C.

"The results of having people share spontaneously was surprising to some who started by 'I don't know exactly what to say' and wound up sharing vivid and meaningful memories of their lives. Sharing with members of the same generation is so connective. I was developing friendships with the group." – Mia R.

"It is fun, intimate, and especially appreciative of history. Would like to do it on a permanent basis." – Fred M.

Workshops

My training includes a Certificate in Reminiscence and Life Story Work from the International Institute for Reminiscence and Life Review (IIRLR) and the Creative Aging and Arts-in-Healthcare Training Institute at the Creative Center at University Settlement. I design and facilitate in-person and virtual reminiscence activities and storytelling workshops for libraries, older adult centers, and rehab centers, and record oral histories for the Coney Island History Project. Awards include the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council's Manhattan Arts Grant funded by the NY State Council on the Arts (2025), SU-CASA residency funded by the NYC Council (2024), and Creative Learning Grant funded by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (2020).

My "Tell Us Your Stories!" workshop combines the techniques of reminiscence, oral history, and storytelling in an interactive arts-based group activity. Participants share their memories in reminiscence sessions, conduct oral history interviews with each other, and curate the recordings and transcriptions into a collection of audio stories and a printed keepsake book. The culminating event features a live reading and an audio party.

Read about the workshop at Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center in "Story Workshop Captures Older Adult Memories"(July 24, 2024) on Goddard's website.

Listen to audio stories by Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center members on my SoundCloud page.

My "Art of Reminiscing" workshop combines the telling of personal stories with the sharing of new and vintage photos and exercises in writing, collaging and painting to create individual or collaborative reminiscence boxes. Workshops have been conducted at JASA Luna Park Older Adult Center in Brooklyn and via Zoom for Greenwich House Washington Square Older Adult Center. Workshops are co-taught with painter, collagist, and art instructor Nancy Prusinowski.

Read about the "Art of Reminiscing Workshop" at JASA Luna Park on the Coney Island History Project website.

Interactive reminiscence events featuring show and tell and storytelling for general audiences have been held in person at Brooklyn Public Library and via Zoom for the Coney Island History Project and in person for older adults at Coney Island Active Aging NORC, JCCGCI Coney Island Seaside OAC, Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Trump Village NORC and Warbasse NORC in Brooklyn.

Read about my show and tell events at Time Out New York and Brooklyn Eagle.

Workshops

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