Art exhibit to help raise funds for Alzheimer's care
Date: 10/10/2012
By Lori Szepelak
lori@thereminder.comSPRINGFIELD — Arlene Welch, 91, has been passionate about creating watercolor paintings since her youth. Now in her golden years, her love of painting has not diminished — only her memory.
Welch's art will be showcased along with nationally acclaimed artists and local artists with Alzheimer's disease on Nov. 1 at the "Memories in the Making" Exhibition and Auction at the Jewish Community Center.
The fundraiser is a partnership between the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Family Services, and all monies raised will benefit the Caregiver Respite Fund at the regional Alzheimer's Association.
"The fund enables caregivers in Western Massachusetts to take a much-needed rest when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease," said Judy Yaffe, co-chair of the event, during an interview with
Reminder Publications.
Yaffe, of Longmeadow, is working on this event with Beth Cardillo of West Springfield. Yaffe is co-owner of Homewatch CareGivers, and Cardillo serves as executive director at Keystone Commons. Both women have been involved in the "Memories in the Making" project since it started in Western Massachusetts three years ago.
"This program is unique and we are the only Alzheimer's Association to do this in New England," Yaffe said, noting other associations across the country have been sponsoring this project for several years.
Each year, the Alzheimer's Association hosts training in art therapy techniques for representatives of assisted living facilities and adult day health programs. In addition, the association offers training on working with individuals with Alzheimer's or related dementias. Throughout the year, those workers then spend at least one session a month with individuals with Alzheimer's so they can express themselves through art.
"The ability and talent of the residents is astounding," Yaffe stated.
Diane Horrigan, a resident care assistant at Landmark at Monastery Heights in West Springfield, echoed those sentiments. Horrigan has been trained to work with Alzheimer's patients on art projects and relishes the chance to bring out the artistic aspect of the residents.
"When it comes to art, it's always excellent," Horrigan said during a recent lunchtime visit to the senior living community. "It is fun and we always have a good time."
Horrigan was instructing Welch on painting a birch tree scene using watercolors including the hues of phthaloblue and ultramarine in the Country Kitchen area which looks out over the sprawling manicured grounds. The room was quiet which also allowed the two to talk and laugh and share their love of painting with each other.
"Arlene is partial to landscapes," Horrigan said, noting that Welch's walls in her room are dominated by landscapes.
"This project is important to us to bring awareness about Alzheimer's disease and especially the fact that individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia can still function and express themselves in different ways, such as through art and music," Yaffe said.
Yaffe noted that families are "struggling daily" to keep their loved ones at home and need the resources to be able to receive some respite, including day care, home care, and some time for families to get away.
"It is tough to be a caregiver 24/7," she said.
The "Memories in the Making" project offers a unique approach to art expression which provides individuals with early to middle stages of Alzheimer's disease an "emotionally safe environment" in which they can paint their thoughts, emotions, and memories in a way that is both expressive and beautiful, according to Yaffe.
Once the regional artwork is created it is then collected and juried by a committee of volunteers associated with the Alzheimer's Association.
"The artwork is then exhibited which enables the Alzheimer's Association to bring awareness to the community and it shows that individuals, even with this devastating disease, have value and can contribute to society," Yaffe said.
Local artists including Doug Brega and Sylvia Ginsburg will also be donating artwork for the auction.
Yaffe noted that Ginsburg, a native of Adams, is a resident of the Jewish Nursing Home and has donated 10 pictures for the event. Yaffe added that Ginsburg has never sold her work and instead gives her paintings to anyone who acknowledges they would enjoy having one. Her medium of choice has always been watercolor, however, she has worked in pastels, oil, and for a brief period, she dabbled in sculpture and jewelry.
"It is often said that a picture is worth a thousand words," Yaffe said. "For those facing dementia, and an increasing loss in their ability to use words, this phrase takes on an even greater meaning."
There is no cost to attend the 6 to 9 p.m. exhibition, silent and live auction, however, pre-registration by Oct. 26 is required by calling the Alzheimer's Association at 787-1113. For more information on the association and its varied services, visit
www.alz.org/manh.
