Getting creative with dementia
Heart for Art exhibition — Heart for Art at home
When the Rt Rev Dr Iain Greenshields, in his role as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, visited Adams House care home, he was presented with a unique piece of artwork entitled ‘Starry night’. The painting, featured, was created by resident Mr. Louis McBride, a participant in the Heart for Art sessions.
The Heart for Art service provides free creative art sessions for those living with a diagnosis of dementia and is a safe space for families and carers to participate alongside their relatives, or just take the chance to have a cuppa and a chat with those in a similar situation. Each session also has a dementia specialist present.
A unique feature of the Heart for Art service is the online exhibitions showcasing the amazing talent of the artists. Created in response to the restrictions placed during the Covid 19 pandemic, the online exhibitions continued to allow the artists to share their work with friends, family and the wider community in a similar way to the in person exhibitions held before this time. Participants were able to continue to produce artwork with the art packs that were sent into homes and CrossReach dementia care homes.
New exhibition
The most recent exhibition, Heart for Art at home, displays work created by residents in 4 of our dementia care homes and one day care service. The breadth of talent never fails to amaze and brings joy not only to those who have created the artwork but also for everyone who looks at it.
Families of residents at Williamwood House, Glasgow, were so delighted with the artwork they suggested creating their own Heart for Art calendars. The calendars were sold as a fundraising initiative, raising not only money but also the profile of the talent within the home.
Taking the Heart for Art session into the care homes also earned the service a shortlisted place in the Luminate Creative Ageing Awards held by Luminate Scotland.
Dunfermline group opened
The Heart for Art groups continue to grow in numbers with a new group being opened in the city of Dunfermline.
Held in the Abbey Church Hall, the new group is open to anyone in Dunfermline living with a diagnosis of dementia.
There are also future plans to open another group in the Morningside area of Edinburgh.
If you have a relative who may enjoy exploring their creative side and would like to meet with others in a relaxed and friendly environment contact Paula Pinda, service manager on 07553 365802
This article was contributed to our CrossReach News publication, January 2023.
