Students and seniors unveiled a new art piece last week that calls on St. Albert residents to take a stand against ageism.
About 20 people gathered by the city hall counter in St. Albert Place June 4 to unveil the Intergenerational Quilting Project. Consisting of 93 squares crafted by some 180 seniors and youths over nine months, the quilt is part of a citywide effort to bridge generational gaps and raise awareness of age-related discrimination.
Ageism refers to age-related stereotypes and prejudices that affect thoughts, feelings and actions, worsening health and economic security, a 2021 report by the United Nations found. It said about half of the world’s population is ageist against seniors.
We’re constantly bombarded with messages that aging is bad and that old people can’t contribute to society, said Tricia Boonstra, community development co-ordinator with the City of St. Albert. That results in issues such as companies not hiring or investing in skilled, but older, workers, and children assuming their grandparents can’t run or play soccer with them. Ageism also affects youths, with people dismissing their actions or capabilities just because of their age.
“One of the main ways to challenge or control ageism is doing intergenerational connections,” Boonstra said.
From October 2024 to June 2025, Boonstra teamed up with Hugs n’ Stiches St. Albert Quilters, Paul Kane, St. Albert Catholic High, and seven other community groups to hold workshops where seniors and youths discussed ageism and worked together to create a quilt based on it.
Quilt with a message
The finished quilt is a mix of traditional fabric patterns, illustrations, and written messages, such as “Don’t be old be BOLD” and “What is a 72 year old supposed to act like?!” Paul Kane art student Ina Otero’s square depicted one flower overshadowing another, showing how overprotectiveness of youth can stunt growth. Fellow student Ray Henry painted an eye-catching anime figure apparently smoking a cigarette but actually holding a lollipop — a reflection of how adults can assume the worst of youths.
Paul Kane student Juan Ruiz said his square shows a youth in a backwards ball cap confused and depressed by age-related discrimination.
“Humans aren’t perfect, and teenagers especially make a lot of mistakes,” he said, yet adults often treat them with contempt for doing so instead of giving them space to figure out their place in the world.
Ageism also applies when we assume someone who is old is automatically wise or in need of help, Ruiz continued.
“It’s not always like that. They’re human beings and they should be treated equally.”
Hugs n’ Stitches member Florette Radmanovich (who created the large square with the mother, grandmother, and baby featured in the quilt) said she likes the idea of getting different age groups working together for this project.
“When you’re creating something, age, doesn’t matter,” she said.
The quilt will be on display at St. Albert Place all June and then at various places in St. Albert until October.
Visit stalbert.ca/city/fcss/programs-services/seniors/quilting for more on ageism and the quilt.
