Culliford House

General information

EXCITING ART PROJECT IN DORCHESTER WITH ARTISTS AGED 76-101.
Breaking barriers to communication & hearing the human story

It is well recorded how being creative can improve a sense of well-being and positivity. It also helps dexterity, self-confidence, stops a feeling of isolation and keeps your mind healthy & active. I provide art sessions to a number of groups & help members to be creative (for example) printing, painting and sculpture.
One of my regular groups is a small group of elderly people who live in a care home in Dorset. I have been helping them to be creative for over two years. Over this time I have grown to really know and care about these people. We often talk, laugh and joke with each other. The work they make is touching; it reflects their challenges and their personalities. Some members of the group have dementia; some have poor mobility or poor eyesight. What is inspirational is their ‘jois de vie’, their have-a-go attitude and their sense of fun. That is what I have fallen in love with.
As a group they have completed three Art Exhibitions; each one in the care home where they live and fully supported by a catalogue. They regularly sell work, because it’s intelligent and considered.
Their next Art Exhibition is a big step: It is outside of their home and their comfort zone; they are sharing their stories, their ideas and their personalities – I know that you will be touched, inspired and uplifted
The Current Project:
The theme they are working on for their fourth exhibition is about ‘connections’. The artists are connecting with their Past, Present and Future
There are many parts to these elements, but the basic idea is them sharing their ‘Past’ through photographs, paintings, screenprinting, creative writing, sculpture and film. They are connecting with their ‘Present’ by meeting new ‘friends’ through social media, visiting them and by them visiting the group. Everything is being documented as part of the artistic process. The Artists at the care home are connecting with their ‘future’ by talking about their hopes and dreams for the future of their families, themselves and the wider community.

How can you help?
We have asked people to take a moment and send a message (introducing themselves) in a photograph. This can be emailed to me (bongley@gmail.com) or sent to use via social media using the hashtag #connectionsproject.
This small connection shows you have taken a moment to say hello & support an older person. The messages in the Art Exhibition and project are that, older people have a value, their story is one of humanity, of history, love and the challenges that we all face. They have challenges that they face with their health and daily life; this art project aims to bring them to light, so that people can be mindful of them. By raising awareness of these challenges we aim to highlight the need to understand and help to fight them through fundraising and research.
Another way you can join in is by sending them a letter or by visiting the group. You can join one of their weekly Art Sessions, or come and have a cuppa and a piece of cake. These interactions lift the group’s spirits. They love to meet new people as it gives them a sense of community and confidence that is sometimes lacking in the elderly. Sometimes; when mobility is an issue, people feel isolated. This whole project aims to bring people together, so those feelings of connectivity can be strengthened.
Please join us for our Art Exhibition on Grandparents Day in September. (Details below)
If you would like to join in with this project in anyway please contact either myself or the Activity Coordinator at Culliford House. (Details below)

Activity Coordinator
Culliford House
Icen Way, Dorchester
DT1 1ET, United Kingdom
Art Exhibition
11th Sept 2016
The Studio, Summer House, Borough Gardens, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RE
11am - 5pm or RSVP: Private View 5-8pm
The Connections Project Page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/connectionsprojectcullifordhouse
Instagram
www.instagram.com/bongley

www.facebook.com/notes/bridget-townsend-artwork/connections-2016/1078137435570659

Mob: 07544629394
www.hellosandhighs.co.uk
www.facebook.com/Artsessionsdorset
#artsessionsdorset #connectionsproject #cullifordhouse #carehomescare #makeafriend #rememberwhen