Alison Mercer
An innovative art project is on offer at the Gwynedd Museum & Gallery in Bangor every Monday afternoon.
Gwynedd Council’s Museum & Arts Service are working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to deliver a series of participatory art sessions for people with dementia, their carers and family members.
The gallery and museum collections and stories will be used to inspire artworks made by participants during the programme of activity led by experienced community artist; Alison Mercer from Llanberis. Alison specialises in fibre and textile art; project participants will be introduced to a variety of techniques and will work together to create a collection of artworks. Sessions will include textile, printing and pattern design activities amongst others.
They would like to encourage people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers from Gwynedd to join the sessions. It is free to attend and you do not need any previous art-making experience. All art materials are provided and tea and coffee is available.
This project is a new initiative delivered by a newly formed partnership between the Alzheimer’s Society and the Gwynedd Council Museum & Arts Service. Its main aim is to offer meaningful and quality artistic opportunities for those who have dementia in Gwynedd. Taking part in art activities, particularly using the museum or gallery as a setting, can offer people relaxation, enjoyment and inner calm. They also allow for emotional expression and self-expression as an important healing influence. Community art projects such as this can offer opportunities for recognition and achievement and can help participants feel engaged and may help in overcoming feelings of isolation. Being part of a group can also be a positive experience with members benefiting from mutual support and understanding of others in similar situations.
Gwawr Wyn Roberts from Gwynedd Council said:
“We are looking forward to working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society for the first time. We welcome a wide variety of groups and organisations to our venues and to use our services and it will be a pleasure to offer art activities to the Alzheimer’s Society clients. Taking part in art activities can offer people an opportunity to be expressive and we hope that participants will feel comfortable enough to return to the museum after the project finishes to enjoy our exhibitions and other activities.”
Michelle Ridge from the Alzheimer’s Society explained that “this art project is part of a wider initiative where we offer people with dementia opportunities to take part in various activities in their local community.”
As part of this initiative a Dementia Friends session will be offered to artists, gallery and museum staff in order to help them understand a bit more about dementia, and the little ways we can all help those who live with the condition. The art sessions will be held during August and September. Examples of artworks produced will be made available in an online show-reel at the end of the programme.
To book a place and for more information about this project please contact: Gwawr Wyn Roberts, Gwynedd Council: [email protected] – 01286 679721 and / or Michelle Ridge, Alzheimer’s Society: [email protected] – 01492 543946.
