Participation in the art therapy process can significantly enhance the wellbeing of older adults; however, preventive individual art therapy with healthy and active individuals in late adulthood remains insufficiently explored. This study aimed to examine how a healthy and active older adult experiences engagement in art therapy, how they perceive its impact on their life, and how they approach art therapy tasks using various materials and techniques. Furthermore, the study explored how a structured, individually tailored art therapy program can support healthy and active aging. The study included a single participant over a three-month period (12 sessions). Using semi - structured interviews, analysis of created artworks, and participant observation, the study captured the participant’s experiences, provided insights into task execution, and emphasized the subjective experience of the process. Findings revealed that the participant perceived art therapy as a progressively positive experience, marked by an egalitarian therapeutic relationship in which they also assumed a mentoring role and actively co-shaped the process. The study documented the reactivation of artistic identity, evolving from realistic to abstract expression, alongside constructive engagement with existential questions related to aging. The participant consistently recognized positive effects on emotional well - being, self-understanding, and reflective thinking. The execution of art therapy tasks followed a systematic approach, with a clear preference for traditional materials and techniques. All artworks emerged in response to partially structured prompts, serving as a foundation for the participant’s subjective engagement within the activities.
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