Coburn Gallery to open new season with unique exhibition, which used AI to capture older adults’ memories

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University’s Coburn Art Gallery will open its 2025-26 season with a unique and powerful exhibition, “Transcending Barriers Beyond Time: Visual Reminiscence of Older Adults with Chronicle Illnesses Facilitated by Generative AI,” as part of the university’s Symposium Against Indifference biennial series. The art exhibition runs from Monday, Aug. 25, through Saturday, Sept. 27, with an opening reception Thursday, Aug. 28, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

“Transcending Barriers Beyond Time” will showcase 42 artworks created by older adults living with chronic illnesses. These individuals collaborated with researchers using generative artificial intelligence to visually explore and capture their memories and experiences. The exhibition delves into the question of how people can recollect their past as they age in spite of physical and mental limitations.

Co-curated by Janet Reed, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing at Kent State University and the project’s lead researcher, and Rebecca D. Miller, Ph.D., program director and associate professor of counseling and art therapy at Ursuline College, the exhibit highlights the intersection of technology, memory and mental well-being. Kent State is the sponsoring institution of the research project, which aims to improve psychological health of older adults by using AI to visualize their cherished memories.

The exhibition is a visual representation of the HARMONEE project, authored by Reed, Miller and other colleagues. HARMONEE stands for Harnessing Artificial Intelligence Resources for Mental Well-being for Older Adults and Nurturing Empathy in Education.

“The goal of HARMONEE is to reduce social isolation and demoralization for older adults in long-term care by enhancing psychological well-being through visualizing memories using GenAI-created images,” said Reed. “Social isolation and demoralization among older adults in long-term care facilities pose significant public health challenges that impact quality of life and health outcomes. This project offers hope and joy through innovative, meaningful engagement.”

The study involved adults aged 60 and over with chronic illnesses residing in long-term care facilities. Through guided interviews using imaginative prompts, researchers collected memories related to safe childhood places, key mid-life achievements and hopeful coping strategies for later life. Using Midjourney, a generative AI program, the team created personalized images reflecting these memories, which were then shared with participants in the form of colorful photobooks to encourage discussion with family and caregivers.

AU’s Symposium Against Indifference has a theme this year of “Thinking About Intelligence: Human and Artificial.” There will be a series of events and lectures throughout the academic year dedicated to overcoming apathy in the face of human concerns by raising awareness and promoting compassionate engagement. The symposium seeks to challenge the university community, as well as the wider Ashland community, toward a deeper understanding of complex issues and creative, personal and corporate responses to those topics.

Visitors to “Transcending Barriers Beyond Time” can explore the emotional depth and creativity that emerge when technology meets personal history, providing new ways to understand and support older adults facing health challenges.

The Coburn Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-4 p.m. on weekends during the academic year. There is no admission fee. For more information, visit ashland.edu/coburn-gallery or contact Cynthia Petry at cpetry@ashland.edu or 419-289-5652.