Colourful welcome to day care centre

Aug 26 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MURRAY Royal Hospital in Perth is showcasing the first display of artwork created by participants of a Tayside-wide Creative Arts and Dementia Project.

Tayside Healthcare Arts Trusts (THAT) and two artists worked with patients affected by early onset dementia in Dundee, day care patients in Perth and Angus, and continued care inpatients in Dundee over nine weeks, creating artwork which is being displayed in Murray Royal. The project is part of a year-long programme to deliver creative arts programmes across three areas of Dementia Care of the Elderly in Tayside.

Samples of art work ranging from collage and marbling to photography will be on display in the centre providing an interesting and colourful welcome for all visitors to the Pinel Day Care Centre in Murray Royal.

Over the nine-week programme Frances Law, THAT lead artist, and Annette McBride, a volunteer artist, have introduced the participants to a wide variety of creative techniques which include book making, binding, marbling, collage work and photography.

Frances Law explained that the art sessions took each participant on a “small voyage of discovery”.

She added: “The participants have been encouraged to create a personal record in the form of handbound books.

“It’s very rewarding to see the level of engagement and concentration that the participants have given to these sessions and the art work they have achieved has delighted everyone involved with this project.”

Karine Neill, Development Officer with THAT, commented: “This project is a pilot year to assess and provide the participants with creative engagement to new techniques. Participants experienced a huge amount of enjoyment from the art sessions and received encouragement and support from the artists.

“Joining in and taking part in this art project has had a positive benefit for the participants and their families who are very proud of their achievements.”