TWAM, Art Interventions Film...

TWAM Film Coming Soon....

A film was developed on behalf of the Tyne and Wear Art Galleries and Museums project i was facilitating before Christmas. It really shows how to implement successful creative activity for individuals with Dementia.

Keep Posted - Its Coming Soon....

iPad engAGE conclusions..

iPad engAGE has been on a fabulous journey over the last few months - concluding at York Teaching Hospitals!

Check out the blog for News / Photos / Developments of the next steps:
www.ipad-engage.blogspot.com

Spring into Wellbeing Event at Gallery Oldham

Yesterday i was working and facilitating 'Bringing to Life iPad Art Workshops' as part of the 'Spring into Wellbeing Event' at Gallery Oldham.

Using the Foldify App on the iPad, families and young people developed models which were then printed and brought to life through three dimensional print outs. Individuals were able to access and explore technology on the iPad and then leave with their printed version - a great way to spend a Saturday!

Rural Arts / iPad Creativity Development...

Due to the popularity of iPad Creativity Classes at Rural Arts - we have decided to release more dates from Summer onwards. These Classes will be a repetition of this terms classes for those who couldn't attend...

iPad Creativity Classes include:

iPad Creativity: Beginners
iPad Creativity: Photography
iPad Creativity: Visual Arts
iPad Creativity: Textiles
iPad Creativity: Film and Animation
iPad Creativity: Music Composition

Click here to book your place:
http://www.ruralarts.org/

Through feedback - Advanced iPad Creativity classes are up for discussion...focussing on the one App in the workshop instead of many different Apps.

Keep Posted for Developments...

Sheffield Hallam - 'Dementia Creativity' Workshop

On March the 7th i was invited by the SHOUT team who organise all the lectures for Occupational Therapy at Sheffield Hallam University to deliver an Interactive 'Dementia Creativity' Workshop.
It was great fun and the students seem to get alot out of it - with many e-mailing me to establish ideas of how to take this forward as part of their practice.

It was really interesting to speak and share knowledge of Dementia Care with Occupational Therapists - sharing many aspects in common!

Ageing Creatively at Hatton Art Gallery, Newcastle

The Ageing Creatively Workshops have been extended and are going well at the Hatton Art Gallery in Newcastle. They have certainly opened changed individual opinions and broadened their horizons in 'Art Exploration'. One lady even mentioned last week that due to the class she now watches Art Appreciation Programmes on TV which is fantastic!

The Website for this project is now live - click here at:
http://research.ncl.ac.uk/ageingcreatively/

Small Things Presents....Resonance of Seclusion

Walking into the Etz Chaim Synagogue in Leeds i wasn't sure what to expect from 'Resonance of Seclusion'.

Sat on the front row close to the actors / actress we automatically became involved in their story / lives. I had to hold back the tears throughout.

Following the Artist - Joash Woodrow through his Creative Life from Leeds to Manchester, he became isolated in his own world...with a fire destroying many of his works. The end concluded in many of his works been exhibited in a gallery space - still unhappy with the results. Its amazing how Art can be so powerful in communication even through isolation, anger, confusion and regret.

Jack and Jill and the Red Postbox

I travelled over to Hexham to watch the 'Jack and Jill and the Red Postbox' play which Northumbria University and Skimstone Arts put together to share the evaluation and conversations had with individuals living with Dementia, both from a Carers perspective and the individuals.



The performance was a powerful journey of emotions from various characters perspectives. Humour, Sadness, Anger, Empathy were all demonstrated effectively...a great way of sharing messages and changing the views and opinions our culture has about Dementia.

'Moving On' Project / Tees Valley Arts - Well Away!

The 'Moving On' / Arts Award Project in Redcar is well underway...with the young people really exploring the Arts and questionning what is possible.

'Am i an Artist?'

As the Host Artist concentrating on the Arts Award Element part of the project we have began exploring our heroes as part of the Bronze Arts Award...the outcomes have really ranged from Anne Frank to Dolly Parton and Will Smith.

Next week the young people will experience Glass Making and be able to reflect on the Arts in a completely different way....i look forward to supporting them in acheiving their award.

National Lottery Awards 2013...

iPad engAGE has been nominated by Arts Council England for a National Lottery Award this year as part of the Art Category...details of this project have been submitted so lets hope that iPad engAGE is shortlisted!! It would enable greater publicity to build and make greater change to individuals living with Dementia!

Salford Museum and Sunderland Museum - House of Memories..

The 'House of Memories Project' developed by Liverpool Museums has now being funded to develop all over the country - both into Salford / Manchester and at Newcastle - Tyne and Wear Art Galleries and Museums.

To find out more about the 'House of Memories Project click here:
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/learning/projects/house-of-memories/index.aspx

This funding has inspired Care Staff to be trained in how to access Gallery and Museum handling collections and their exhibitions - its great that we are now connecting the two!!

- I have facilitated a training workshop at Salford Museum and will be delivering another at Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens this week on behalf of the 'House of Memories' project. The workshop i facilitate is to broaden ideas around how to access collections in a multi-sensory and innovative way for individuals with Dementia. This way the Care Staff leave with multiple ideas and a new relationship with community spaces.

Room for the Imagination Project

After eight workshops at Princess House in Sunderland facilitating the Room for the Imagination Project, as the Artists we now rotate to work in another Care Facility - this time round the Care Home i am working in is St.Marks Court in Gateshead.

I am looking forward to diving into Multi-Sensory and Mixed Art Form workshops, collaborating with these new residents. It will be really interesting to combine and contrast both care homes and the training of care staff in the Arts.

Feb Fest 2013

Feb Fest 2013 went down a storm! This Bishop Auckland Art Festival ranged in arts activities from Film and Animation, Cartooning, Jewellery Crafts, Willow Making and so much more....
I had the great opportunity of delivering both a Lino Printing Workshop and Upcycled Jewellery workshop in various well-known settings across Bishop Auckland.

This type of festival really brings all ages together, young to old and connects the community. It was great to see and be part of.