A seaside showcase
Seaside-themed craft work, created by residents from care homes across the borough, will be showcased at Erewash Museum from Monday 19 – Saturday 24 August.
Three care homes, The Grange in Sandiacre, Ladywood in Kirk Hallam and Victoria Park in Ilkeston, together with Arts at the HeART in Wellbeing, run by Erewash Borough Council’s Arts Development Team, have been running artist residencies for the past three months and the exhibition will be a culmination of the artwork that residents have made. Mosaics, prints and appliques will be on display for families of all ages to enjoy during the summer.
The project – funded by Erewash Health Partnership – has seen professional artists working directly with residents and staff to deliver creative workshops to help improve health and wellbeing, and alleviate stressful symptoms and side effects of dementia, memory loss, depression and anxiety.
On Monday 19 August there will also be a series of family workshops running at the museum using the theme ‘Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside’ plus a training workshop discussing the arts project.
10.30am – 12.30pm Visitors of all ages are invited to make an iridescent fish, to help form a seaside display and share seaside memories.
10.30am – 12.30pm Arts at the HeART resident artist Andrea Haley will deliver a workshop to adults wanting to understand the project and the approach. Ideal for artists/practitioners or volunteers interested in working with older people, using the arts as a way to improve health and wellbeing. Places are limited to 30, booking required.
1.30pm – 2.30pm Seated dance workshop – members of the public are invited to participate in a workshop led by professional dancer Andre Haley to experience and sample the types of activity developed for this project. Priority is given to project participants and their families, but the visiting public are welcome to fill available spaces.
A free specialist training workshop for Erewash residents already working in a care setting will take place at the museum on Thursday 22 August. Booking required.
To book please contact Arts Development ArtsDev@erewash.gov.uk 0115 907 2244 ex 4604
Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Mike Wallis, says:
“This project has been an incredible success and proved to be quite a journey for all involved. The idea of residents being able to express their memories through the use of art to encourage their wellbeing while living with dementia is a lovely idea. We are very lucky to be able to offer this service in Erewash with the help of funding from the Erewash Health Partnership.”
PHOTO 1 – One of the finished artworks on the seaside theme.
PHOTO 2 – The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Sue Beardsley, meets Vera Deacon at The Grange Residential Home in Sandiacre to hear more about the project.
