A brush with art for Resthaven clients

On Friday, 24 May, clients of Resthaven Community Respite Services took part in a national zoom session on art appreciation and art therapy at Hersey Cottages, Marion.

Conducted by an art educator at the National Art Gallery of Australia, the online program catered to people living with dementia and their care partners from across the country. This social and creative program aims to engage participants with the National Gallery’s collection through discussion and artmaking.

‘Our participants really enjoyed the session,’ Gillian Schulze, Resthaven Project Officer says. ‘They had a chance to critique and discuss three pieces of well-regarded abstract art. They were then given instruction on how to create their own piece of art in a similar style.’

Around 20 older people from all over Australia took part in the online event.

‘This was such an interesting way of engaging the brain in a different way,’ Gillian says. ‘We are looking forward to participating in similar events in the future.’