Mackenzie Thomas
Staff Writer
The Here and Now art program focuses on providing a supportive environment for people with dementia and their caretakers.
Here and Now, hosted by the University of Wyoming Art Museum, is designed to support both those with dementia and their loved ones with an art program that will help stimulate the senses of those battling dementia.
“Sometimes its a motor skill, sometimes it triggers a memory, and sometimes it is just a conversation,” Katie Christensen said, the Curator of Education and Statewide Engagement at the UW Art Museum.
She said she aims to help relax patients as well as give them an outlet for creativity and for sparking a conversation between them and other patients or caregivers.
Those in attendance will have the opportunity to experience intellectual stimulation as well as sensory stimulation as they experiment with multiple art mediums, including sculpting, making collages, printmaking and painting. Each of these mediums is designed to assist in stimulating the senses of the participants as well as give them a more relaxed environment.
“Our initiative is to include people of all ages for art and wellness,” said Christensen.
She said one of the main goals of the UW Art Museum is to help build a sense of community by involving people of all ages in art based programs through the museum.
The Here and Now Program came about earlier in 2019 and has been occurring on the third Wed. of each month ever since. Christensen has been working to help foster this program during her time at the museum.
The Here and Now Program aims to create a space where both the caregiver and patient can share conversations with others as well as focus on both individual and collaborative art projects.
“We invite both caregivers and patients to make, discuss, reminisce and be creative,” Christensen said.
Christensen said she hopes to give caregivers a small break while their patients can interact with others, but it is also an opportunity for caregivers and patients to collaborate on projects.
“Everything is tailored to what you see in the gallery space,” said Christensen.
Christensen said she focuses the event based on the exhibitions on display at the Art Museum. Those participating will look at the art on display, discuss what they observe, ask questions about the art and then create a project based on what they have observed.
Going forward with the Here and Now Program, Christensen said she wanted to connect with the University of Wyoming dementia research program in order to get students who are researching dementia involved with the event. By expanding and continuing the program in the future, Christensen said she would like to see further community involvement.
The Here and Now Program works in coordination with the Spring Wind Assisted Living Community to provide an outlet specifically for dementia patients.
Christensen said she hopes to expand the program to those in the Laramie community who may be battling with dementia or providing care for a patient with dementia outside of the Spring Wind Assisted Living Community.
The Here and Now program will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. today. Coffee and cocoa, alongside snacks will be provided for those participating in the art making during the event.
