Art Exhibition To Open In Newtownards Set To Challenge Misconceptions About Dementia
‘Real Lives: The Art of Living With Dementia’, an art exhibition, features striking artwork by Dementia NI members
Health charity Dementia NI is hosting a unique exhibition at Ards Arts Centre from Thursday 1st February to Saturday 24th February 2024 exploring what it is really like living with dementia in Northern Ireland and challenging widespread stigma about the condition.
OpenTuesday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm, Real Lives: The Art Of Living With Dementia will showcase captivating photography, striking patchwork quilts and moving poetry.
The exhibition features 45 pieces created by Dementia NI members, all of whom live with a diagnosis of dementia.
There are over 20,000 people living with dementia across Northern Ireland and this number is projected to rise to 60,000 by 2050 according to Age UK, due in part to our ageing population.
Years of stigma and misunderstanding have led to common misconceptions about what it means to live with dementia.
Dementia has been reported as the condition people fear the most, with over half (56%) of people putting off seeking a diagnosis for up to a year or more indicates the Alhzeimers Society.
Dementia NI’s exhibition sets out to challenge these misconceptions, transforming how people view the condition and starting conversations through the medium of art.
It shares a message of hope that many people with dementia are still able to enjoy life in the same way as before their diagnosis and live well with dementia.
The exhibition features patchwork quilts created during an online project organised by Dementia NI and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, to help local people with dementia stay active during lockdown.
Working with Arts Council art tutors, Dementia NI members were encouraged to make their own heirloom quilts which tell the story of their lives.
It includes a quilt created by Dementia NI member Allison Batchelor, from Dundonald, County Down. Through her poignant and well-crafted work of art, Allison shares what is still important in her life despite her diagnosis.
She said: “When you receive a diagnosis of dementia you believe your life is over and that it’s impossible to learn new skills, however, this is not the case.
“During this amazing art project we learnt many new skills and, in my opinion, produced first-class artwork.
“We’re challenging the public’s perception of what dementia looks like and are constantly endeavouring to break down stigma and barriers.
“This art project was so enjoyable and I am very glad to have been involved.”
Claire-Rose Canavan, Empowerment Facilitator for Dementia NI, said: “This exhibition is special to our members.
“W are so thrilled they permitted us to share it with the public. We warmly invite you to come along and view it for yourselves.”
The exhibition, which offers free admission for the general public, is open Tuesday to Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm, from Thursday 1st February to Saturday 24th February 2024, at the Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP.
In addition, we would like to thank our funders, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Dementia NI’s Empowerment Groups meet regularly across Northern Ireland. They are free of charge and anyone who has received a diagnosis and is in the early to middle stages of dementia may like to attend.
For more info call 028 9693 1555 or email:
If you would like more information on the exhibition or to speak to one of our members, please email jane@dementiani.org or call 07966 881 422.
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