One-of-a-kind gallery opens today, featuring artworks by artists with dementia

Key points:

• The Dementia Art Gallery on the Gold Coast, open for a short time, is filled with paintings, drawings and sculptures made by locals living with dementia
• Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan hoped that this event would ‘break down barriers and stigma’ associated with dementia
• Other initiatives around the country are helping Australians with dementia and their families, such as the Hold the Moment podcast, which features people with dementia who speak about their experiences

A one-of-a-kind gallery has opened for a short time on the Gold Coast, with all of the featured artists diagnosed with dementia.

The Dementia Art Gallery is open this week at the Kirra Hill Community and Cultural Centre from Tuesday, September 24 to Thursday, October 3, 2024, from 9am to 4pm each day with free admission.

The official open day will be held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 10:30am to 1pm. During this time, visitors can participate in art workshops, enjoy some nibbles and listen to dementia advocates speak, while surrounded by the artworks and sculptures created by people with dementia.

Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan highlighted why involvement in activities such as the Dementia Art Gallery can improve the lives of people with dementia.

“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 challenge peoples’ assumptions about the abilities of people living with dementia, ” she said.

Image caption: Bob, one of the artists, used bottle tops to create artwork such as this stingray. [Source: supplied; Dementia Australia]

Osk Lowe, a dementia advocate and carer, emphasised the importance of their husband, Will, being able to nurture their passion for creativity. 

“He had always been artistic and his calmness and concentration in these painting activities allowed his creativity to continue,” they said.

“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 artworks with our family and they are now very treasured items.”

In addition to seeing beautiful artwork on the open day, attendees will be treated to performances by a dementia-friendly choir called Inspire!

The Inspire! choir encourages anyone with dementia and their care partners to join their community group that meets for an hour and a half on certain Thursdays. The $5 dollar donation also includes afternoon tea and a great way to socialise with others. For more information, contact Jan by email at inspirechoirdf@gmail.com or visit the City of Gold Coast website.

Image caption: This ‘Hens House’ is on display at the Dementia Art Gallery. [Source: supplied; Dementia Australia]

Recent estimates suggest that more than 849,300 Australians will be living with dementia by 2058, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

However, dementia-friendly activities are popping up all over Australia, including a podcast made for people with dementia.

The Hold the Moment podcast features people living with dementia who share their experiences in hopes of helping others with dementia feel less alone and is part of an Australian Government initiative.

Guests on the podcasts include Australians living with dementia or early onset dementia and former carers of people living with dementia.

Read more about different ways that people with dementia can get involved in the community in this article: From dementia-friendly cinemas to podcasting: initiatives popping up over Australia.

Approximately 411,000 Australians live with dementia, as per recent data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

More information about dementia is available in this article: The number of Australians with dementia is expected to double by 2058.

If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.

What activities would you like to participate in at the Dementia Art Gallery open day?

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