Dementia Australia is excited to announce a new artistic exhibition, titled the Dementia Art Gallery, featuring the work of Gold Coast locals living with dementia.
The Dementia Art Gallery will showcase paintings, drawings, craft pieces, sculptures and more to help raise awareness about dementia.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said with more than 10,660 people on the Gold Coast estimated to be living with dementia, the art exhibition is a great opportunity to showcase the talents of community members whilst helping to breakdown dementia stigma.
“To see this fabulous art created by people living with dementia on display for the public can help to break down barriers and stigma and challenges peoples’ assumptions about the abilities of people living with dementia, ” Professor Buchanan said.
Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate and carer Osk Lowe’s husband Will, who lives with dementia and participated in last year’s gallery, encourages all Gold Coast locals to visit the gallery.
“Will was totally absorbed in what he was painting,” Osk said about Will’s involvement in last year’s gallery.
“He had always been artistic and his calmness and concentration in these painting activities allowed his creativity to continue.
“It was always such a joy for me to see what Will had done and for him to explain to me what he saw in his paintings. I was able to share his art works with our family and they are now very treasured items.”
The Dementia Art Gallery will be hosted at the Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre from Tuesday 24 September to Thursday 3 October, 9am- 4pm. Admission is free.
The gallery will also host an official open day on Wednesday 25 September 10:30am – 1pm with the day including art workshops and performances by local Gold Coast dementia-friendly choir, Inspire!