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North Central Texas Chapter

Memories in the Making®
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Art Program for People with Dementia

 

 

 "In the News"
Program History
Exhibitions
Participating Facilities

 

"West Texas Windmill" 
Painting by Thetis
Magnolia Court
Granbury
2010

Read Thetis' own words about this painting and learn more about this artist here.
Memories in the Making® is an art program for people with dementia that was developed over 20 years ago by two artists working with the Orange County (CA) Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.  The program is now offered by some 18 chapters of the Association nationwide.

In weekly, one hour art sessions, people with Alzheimer’s disease or related forms of dementia use watercolor paints to create personal, enigmatic works of art.  An artist facilitator trained in the Memories in the Making® method conducts the sessions with the help of care staff and volunteers.  Bypassing the need for planning, knowing or learning new skills, Memories allows people with memory loss the opportunity to express themselves and see the results of their efforts take form before their eyes. 

 Painting by Marian
"Untitled Landscape" 
Painting by Marian
Emeritus at Oak Hollow Alzheimer Special Care Center
Bedford
2009

Researchers believe that creativity important to individuals’ sense of well being, but that the parts of the brain involved in creative pursuits may remain relatively intact long after other functions have been lost.  For many with dementia, art becomes a means of telling stories, communicating emotions and recalling lost memories. Others enjoy the sensation of expressing themselves in paint and seeing the shapes, lines and colors flow from the brush.  For all, it is an engaging and enjoyable activity when other avenues for creating, communicating and experiencing pleasure are lost.

The Alzheimer’s Association helps care staff bring Memories in the Making® to their communities by training them to be facilitators, supplying art materials and organizing opportunities to share the works of art.  The painters in the program often create beautiful works of art that are included in exhibitions and fundraising auctions or reproduced as calendars and note cards, helping the Alzheimer’s Association promote awareness of the disease.  More important than the finished product, however, is the process of finding a means of self-expression through art and enhancing the quality of life for those suffering from dementia.

 Painting by Evelyn
"It Doesn't Need a Title" 
Painting by Evelyn
HCR ManorCare
Richland Hills
2009
For more information about Memories in the Making®, to host the program at your site or to volunteer to assist with the classes, contact Lisa Buck at 817.336.4949 or 800.272.3900. 



Memories in the Making®
In the News
Read what local media is saying about the program:

 ∗Times Record News
 


 

Exhibitions

Exhibitions showcase the paintings created by participants of the Memories in the Making   Exhibitions are free and open to the public.

ONLINE AUCTION OF PAINTING IN THE EXHIBITION OPENS FEBRUARY 8. CLICK HERE FOR A PREVIEW.

Persistence of Self:
Paintings by People with Dementia

Opening Reception: February 10
6 to 9 pm
On view February 3 through 28

Fort Worth Community Arts Center
1300 Gendy Street 
Fort Worth, TX  76107
Nona, "The Baby and its Playthings"
Sunrise Assisted Living of Fort Worth

 Download a press release here.



Levita, "The Water and the Boat"
Texhoma Christian Care Center, Wichita Falls

Realm Beyond Memory: Paintings by People with Dementia

Art Museum at Midwestern State Universty
Wichita Falls, Texas
November 30 through December 2, 2011

Read here about the Fall 2011 research
project four MSU psychology students
and four Wichita Falls long-term care
communities.



 

November 5 to 28, 2010

 

Visible Voices: Paintings by People with Memory Loss
Arlington Museum of Art
Arlington, Texas

View the paintings here.

   

June 3 to July 31, 2010

 

Magic of the Moment: Paintings by People with Memory Loss
Kemp Center for the Arts
Wichita Falls, Texas

   

September 25 to October 25, 2009

An Art of Me: Paintings by People with Dementia
Emeritus at Tanglewood Oaks
Fort Worth, Texas

You may view the paintings here.

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Facilities currently participating in Memories in the Making® are:

 Windcrest Alzheimer's Care Center    Abilene
 Alvarado Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation    Alvarado
 Arden Courts of Arlington    Arlington
 Autumn Leaves of Arlington    Arlington
 Cooper Villa Senior Living Community    Arlington
 Horizon Bay    Arlington
 Autumn Leaves of Carrollton    Carrollton
 Esperanza Senior Living    Carrollton
 Parsons House Preston Hollow    Dallas
 Autumn Leaves of Flower Mound    Flower Mound
 Autumn Leaves of Southwest Fort Worth    Fort Worth
 Emeritus at Tanglewood Oaks    Fort Worth
 James L. West Senior Adult Day Program    Fort Worth
 Lakewood Village Healthcare Center    Fort Worth
 Sunrise of Fort Worth    Fort Worth
 Sunrise of Frisco    Frisco
 Autumn Leaves of Garland    Garland
 Quail Park Assisted Living    Granbury
 Courtyards at Lake Granbury    Granbury
 Autumn Leaves of Grapevine    Grapevine
 Autumn Leaves of Fossil Creek    Haltom City
 Sunrise of Hillcrest    Hillcrest
 Silverado Senior Living    Irving
 Isle at Watercrest    Mansfield
 Autumn Leaves of McKinney    McKinney
 Arbor House    Lewisville
 Sunrise of Plano    Plano
 Clare Bridge Cottage    Richland Hills
 Isle at Watermere    Southlake
 Good Tree Assisted Living    Stephenville
 Oakwood Assisted Living    Stephenville
 Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center    Waco
 Peach Tree Place    Weatherford
 Santa Fe Nursing and Rehabilitation    Weatherford
 Grace Care Center    Wichita Falls
 House of Hope/Presbyterian Manor    Wichita Falls
 Sterling House of Wichita Falls    Wichita Falls
 Texhoma Christian Care Center    Wichita Falls

For more information about Memories in the Making, contact Lisa Buck at 817-336-4949.

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