Alzheimers Art
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 9, 5:00 p.m.
Exhibit remains through October 2
Elaine Jacob Foyer
The Alzheimer's Services of the East Bay sponsors a program in which persons
with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia can participate in making art. As part of
their care giving program they have found that even those people, many who are severely
cognitively impaired, can draw and paint. In fact, many can still derive pleasure and
satisfaction from the activity.
While patients suffering mental illness often express themselves through images
of anger, frustration, or rebellion, the Alzheimer patients create mostly cheerful and
benign images of trees, animals, and houses. Though their drawings may seem childlike
in simplicity and coloring, Alzheimer's patients never use stick figures as children do.
Their portrayals of people and human faces, no matter how confused, are complex and
sophisticated, reflecting an adult's life experience.
See also:
Lecture on Alzheimer Artists on Monday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m.
Gualala Arts Center is located
at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, and is open from 9 am to 4 pm weekdays,
and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information.