Exhibit Celebrating Artists Living with Alzheimer’s Opens in Downtown Bellevue June 19
June 10, 2019
BELLEVUE, WA–”The Art of Alzheimer’s” art exhibit, which seeks to challenge assumptions about people living with dementia, will open on Wednesday, June 9, with a reception celebration from 3-4:30 p.m. at The Gardens at Town Square in downtown Bellevue, 933 111th Ave. N.E. The event is open to the public and free to attend with advance reservations by calling 425-688-1900.
The exhibit reframes Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by asking observers to consider how much people living with these diseases still have to contribute.
The exhibit features 14 works by seven Seattle-area artists living with Alzheimer’ including conversations with the artists about their methods and processes.
“People living with dementia are joyful, creative, delightful human beings and members of our community,” said Marilyn Raichl who founded the exhibit with her mother who was living with Alzheimer’s. “The artists whose work is featured in the exhibit use their creative brains. Their access to language may falter, but their access to imagination can soar!”
Artists exhibiting include Julia Blackburn, Rosemary Freeman, Gloria Kinney, Jane Kippenhan, Pat Kristoferson, Lenny Larson, and Rafe Schwimmer.
Notably, each artist uses a different process to create his or her work. For instance, Rafe Schwimmer blasts Bob Dylan music so loud that his house shakes while he paints. Gloria Kinney’s work focuses on being in the moment. Lenny Larson and Jane Kippenhan usually create their works in a group setting.
The Gardens At Town Square is the first retirement community with memory care to host “The Art of Alzheimer’s,” a traveling exhibit previously on display in downtown Seattle at the Washington Athletic Club.
“It is time we recognize that people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are active contributors to our society and participants in life,” said Apryl Tolstoy, Executive Director of The Gardens at Town Square. “Our residents in memory care have access to robust arts programming that offers people living with cognitive impairment a way to express themselves and connect. It is deeply meaningful for everyone involved. And, it’s why ‘The Art of Alzheimer’s’ is such a powerful exhibit for our residents, in independent and assisted living as well as memory care, to experience.”
The Gardens at Town Square offers independent and assisted living as well as memory care for those age 62 and older. The community provides a blend of elegant surroundings, rich programming, and healthy dining options in the heart of downtown Bellevue. The Gardens at Town Square is part of Era Living, a Seattle-based company of eight premier retirement communities.