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!
More information is available at dementia.org.au/events/art-gallery or contact event organiser Ann Hetherington on 07 5594 0270.
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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
Media contacts: Andrea Hogan, Media and Communications Manager, Dementia Australia – Andrea.Hogan@dementia.org.au, 0406 904 118
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.
