Jennie Harriman is a patient teaching artist with more than 30 years of experience helping people discover the joy of creating. Her step-by-step, playful approach builds confidence, encourages self-expression, and fosters social connection in a low-pressure environment. As someone with muscular dystrophy, Jennie has adapted her own creative practice and enjoys sharing accessible approaches with people who have arthritis, limited hand strength, or other physical challenges. She has taught creative aging, intergenerational, and memory care programs, where she has seen how learning each participant’s interests can spark engagement, conversation, and joyful moments of recollection. Jennie holds two master’s degrees.
Artist Work Samples
Sample Programs Offered
Program Type: Arts Curriculum
Program Description:
Do you or the older adults in your program feel stressed and want to feel calmer? Knowing how your brain works can give you the skills to feel better. Come discover how your brain works, try mindfulness techniques, and play art with a variety of materials. This course has been described as “easy art to calm your mind.”
Classes build on the previous mind skills introduced: different brain functions, ways to train your brain, sensory experiences, and expressive arts.
Jennie will provide materials.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
Program Type: Arts Curriculum
Program Description:
Have you or the older adults in your program always wanted to do woodworking, but felt unsure about it? Jennie’s back to basics approach keeps it simple, fun, and also appropriate for people who may have reduced muscle strength.
Learners will use small hand tools (no power tools needed!) to do “kitchen table woodworking,” reviewing safety guidelines and discovering helpful tool tips as they build small items. Each project gradually introduces new challenges as learners become comfortable with different tools and techniques. What Jennie enjoys most is witnessing the confidence and pride that woodworking builds in people.
She started using the term “kitchen table woodworking” to help others understand you don’t need a big workshop full of power tools to do woodworking. It can be done with lightweight hand tools in a small space, like your kitchen table.
Projects will be chosen and adapted based on the interests and needs of the participants, and Jennie will provide tools and materials.
Lesson Plan Example: Download File
