In the Picture
Dementia Friendly Gallery Programme at Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre with Sarah Ruttle and Sarah Cairns
West Cork Arts Centre regularly invites people with dementia, their professional and /or family carers to participate in a facilitated experience exploring the current artwork and exhibition space.
This programme represents a new way for rural Ireland to involve people with dementia, their family members and carers in a local arts facility.
Our sessions are about making observations, describing and building connections. Allowing each person the time to comfortably observe and experience the space and artwork. Each bespoke session facilitates a small group and includes light refreshments as part of the social and friendly approach.
Artist Sarah Ruttle describes, ‘In the Picture is a purposeful investigation of artwork in the gallery. Each session we take time to look at the artwork on exhibit and share space for communication through the senses. We will explore together how we see, feel and react to the artwork.”
What the participants say…
Sheila a participant said, ‘it was very good; we walked around and looked at all the art. I would like to do more of these types of visits.’
Sheila’s Son states, ‘Mam comes home full of life and buzzing after the activity. I can see a huge difference in Mam when she returns.’
If you’re thinking of coming along or would like to discuss or book your visit
Call (028) 22090 info@westcorkartscentre.com or check facebook events
Nursing home or care facility groups very welcome. Booking essential
This programme received an Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland Dementia Friendly Award in 2015 and is part of the Arts for Health Partnership Programme, West Cork.
About the Arts Educators
Artists Sarah Ruttle and Toma McCullim work with healthcare professional Sarah Cairns who has been working for many years in the field of Older Person Care. Sarah currently works as Activities Director in Bantry General Hospital. She has many qualifications in Dementia-care training including a diploma in Leadership in Dementia Care, holds a certificate in Older People in Dance and is presently on the training team and working as a tutor for Sonas apc.
In the Picture, goes on tour for 2024
1st May 11am to 1pm in the Maritime Hotel
May’s Memory Café in Bantry will feature ‘In the Picture – on tour’, an Arts for Health Partnership Programme which usually takes place in Uillinn Galleries. Attendees of the cafe will get a unique opportunity to have artworks brought to the cafe opening up conversation around the ideas brought forward by looking and exploring the selected artworks. Facilitated by Sarah Ruttle with session will feature artwork from a major retrospective exhibition by Brian Lalor.
The Retrospective Exhibition of the Work of Brian Lalor, 27 July to 12 October 2024, will include prints, publications, watercolours, drawings, sculpture, photographs, objects, artifacts and audio-visual presentations, curated by art historian, Vera Ryan.
Trained as an artist and architect, Brian Lalor is a master printmaker, a superb draughtsman, an art historian, a travel writer, editor and memoirist. In Lalor‘s work, the Arts and Crafts Movement’s philosophy of collaboration and of the artist as writer as well as practitioner is discernible. He is of the generation of Irish artists who provided subsidy within the arts sector through their initiatives. His role in Graphic Studio, Dublin (as member, chairperson and historian), and his parallel role in Cork Printmakers, in Blue House Gallery and in Ballydehob Arts Museum as founder director of both, and his donation of a significant historic print collection to the National Gallery of Ireland make him a leader in the Irish art community.
Bantry Memory café provides a warm and welcoming place for people to meet others also living with dementia/ cognitive impairment, their friends & family as well as health & social care professionals.
Contact Catherina on 087 910 3036 for further details.
In the Picture Dates 2023:
Exhibition: Pascal Ungerer, Speculative Artifacts – Friday 24th February, 11am – 12.30
Exhibition: Brian Fay The Most Recent Forever – Friday 21 April, 11:00am – 12:30
· Experience first hand what your community has to offer people with dementia and other cognitive differences
· Engage in the process of viewing/interacting with art and culture - spark new conversations
· Be inspired and motivated to share your new experiences who live in the community and in care homes
· Encourage a cultural community in your healthcare setting
· Increase links into what is available in west cork for PWD
Friday 5 May, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
What the participants say…
Sheila says “It was very good, we walked around and looked at all the art and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I do a bit of art myself and would like to do more of these types of visits.” and Sheila’s son Finbarr Goggin, “this visit and indeed the other artistic ventures that Sheila is involved in have made a remarkable difference to her life. Spending a great deal of time at home leads to boredom and feelings of isolation but when mam is out and about participating in art and other cultural activities, she is at her best. She comes home full of life and buzzing from the activity. The In the Picture programme involves meaningful participation and I can see a huge difference in mam when she returns from such activities. A day or so after the visit, mam drew a haunting picture of a tree blowing during a gale.”
If you’re thinking of coming along or would like to discuss or book your visit. Nursing home or care facility groups are very welcome by arrangement.
Call (028) 22090 / info@westcorkartscentre.com and ask for Louise.
Service is free of charge. Booking essential as there are limited places