Originally from Canada, Brenda Jacobsen earned a degree in Music Education from Acadia University in Nova Scotia and a MAT from Sacred Heart University in CT. She studied piano and voice for many years but her work with visual art did not start until she had moved to the USA. Since then she has studied at Silvermine School of Art, NCC, Greenwich Arts Society, and the Arts Students League. She has mentored with F. O’Cain and B. Dorfman and has taught and led workshops for all ages and abilities. In 2013, she was an Artist-in-Residence for the Byrdcliffe Art Colony in Woodstock, NY. Jacobsen exhibits her paintings in Connecticut and NYC.

Brenda is a former Therapeutic Recreation Leader at Waveny Lifecare Network ,a short and long term rehabilitation facility with a Memory Care unit in New Canaan, CT. Brenda  facilitated expressive arts programs including art, music and Timeslips Creative Storytelling programs. A trained facilitator, Brenda transforms elder care by infusing it with creative engagement. Elderly residents connect through visual prompts, unlocking their imagination to find hope, purpose and joy. Brenda is a certified OMA facilitator. Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of neurocognitive disorders. Its failure-free program provides opportunities for creative self-expression and social engagement for people with dementia.