At Goshen County Library in Torrington, Wyoming, creativity found its rhythm through dance. Serving a frontier-designated rural population of just over 13,000—many of them older adults—the library has long been a community anchor. But until recently, older adults were more likely to browse shelves than find programs designed specifically for them.
That changed when Library Director Cristine Braddy watched a training video on creative aging and saw older adults joyfully dancing. Instantly, she thought of her friend Leanne Mattis, a local dance instructor who had long wanted to teach this age group but wasn’t sure how to begin. Together, they brought Harmony in Motion to life.
What followed was eight weeks of movement, stretching, choreography, and connection. Using the library’s flexible event space next door, older adults gathered weekly to dance, share, and learn—guided by the nationally recognized creative aging practices developed by Lifetime Arts.
The goals were simple yet powerful: introduce gentle, expressive movement; encourage new creative risks; and foster relationships among participants. Many arrived uncertain about their bodies, their abilities, or even whether they “belonged” in a dance class. But those hesitations quickly gave way to laughter, applause, and lasting friendships.
When a brief COVID pause interrupted the series, the group didn’t drift away; they returned with even greater enthusiasm. The culminating performance at Leanne’s studio, where participants danced alongside younger performers and grandchildren, drew cheers and new interest. “Seeing grandparents and grandkids share the stage—that was the moment,” Cristine reflected. “That’s what it was all about.”
Harmony in Motion marked the library’s first step into sustained creative aging programs. It was followed by memoir writing, oral history, and Goshen Sings, each tailored to older adults’ interests and lived experiences. The outcomes were personal and profound: newfound confidence, deepened friendships, and a shared sense of creative agency.
One oral history participant, navigating memory loss, was able to preserve a cherished family story with the help of peers. Others continued meeting weekly at the local community garden, long after the programs ended. Some even chose to donate their property tax exemption savings back to the library during funding shortfalls, a gesture of trust and mutual investment that Cristine calls “a full-circle moment.”
Running programs in a rural library came with challenges. Communication preferences varied; some participants preferred phone calls over texts or emails. Materials weren’t always easy to source locally, especially when the only supply store shut down unexpectedly. And while Harmony in Motion came together quickly due to Leanne’s readiness, other programs, like watercolor, required months of collaboration.
For Cristine, these were valuable lessons. “Time with the teaching artist is critical,” she shared. “It’s not just about booking a program, it’s about co-designing something meaningful.”
Flexible space also played a key role. With mobile shelving and adaptable layouts, the library turned underused rooms into creative studios. Support from the library board and county leadership made it possible to reimagine the library as not just a place for books, but a place for belonging.
For libraries considering their own creative aging journey, Cristine offers these insights:
For Leanne and other artists, the experience was deeply fulfilling. Participants arrived curious and left energized, often continuing their relationships beyond the studio. “It wasn’t just a dance class,” Leanne said. “It was community-building through movement.”
And for the library, creative aging opened the door to a new programming mindset—one that’s inclusive, responsive, and centered on the creative potential of older adults. The ripple effects are still growing: from intergenerational performances to memoir booklets and garden meetups, the programs are sparking a cultural shift in what rural libraries can be.
As Cristine puts it, “We tried to create a safety net for them and then they turned around and became ours.”
Cristine Braddy is the Director of the Goshen County Library and serves as the President of the Wyoming Library Association. A lifelong resident of Wyoming, she is dedicated to serving her community through leadership and education. Cristine holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Wyoming and a Masters in Counseling and Human Services from Liberty University. Her deep roots in the state began as a graduate of Cheyenne Central High School. Outside of her professional roles, Cristine is an avid reader who enjoys long walks, and traveling with her family.
Leann Mattis is a dance and movement educator with nearly 20 years of experience teaching and coaching across a wide range of ages and abilities. Her work centers on using movement as a tool for self-awareness, creativity, and connection, with an emphasis on accessibility and individual expression.
Through her somatic movement class at the Goshen County Library, Leann guided participants in exploring gentle, mindful movement in a supportive environment that honors where each person is in their body and life experience. She is passionate about creating inclusive arts experiences that encourage lifelong creativity and well-being.