International Showing for Artworks
Artworks from residents at a Sheffield nursing home will be going on show in Sheffield Cathedral next month – and then Detroit in the United States. Works from residents of Woodland View, a residential nursing home for people living with dementia, will be among the exhibits at the ninth annual South Yorkshire Dementia Creative Arts Exhibition. Art therapist Hannah Godfrey of the Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, works with service users, including those at Woodland View. Hannah said: “Encouraging the combination of art and therapy has had a hugely positive impact on service users and the exhibition helps to celebrate this. We are delighted that some of their work is going on show not only in the city but internationally!” The Trust’s Chief Executive Kevan Taylor said: “Art therapy is an important part of the care we provide for our service users and this exhibition is an excellent opportunity to help people understand more about this form of therapy and also more about dementia.” The first creative arts exhibition took place in 2009 and was organised by David Reid, a Senior University Teacher based in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sheffield. Each annual exhibition has its own theme and this year the theme is Places and Times. David said: “It’s fantastic that Hannah and Woodland View’s residents are involved in the exhibition – my thanks to them. People affected by dementia sometimes need others to offer opportunities in order that they fulfil their potential. This is a modest event but an important one because it demonstrates publicly to the wider community how positive relationships – between those diagnosed with dementia and their supporters or allies – can make a significant difference to everyone involved. “The range of creative artwork on show this year includes thought-provoking, beautiful and challenging pieces – from paintings by people with a dementia diagnosis to Sheffield school children’s musings on memory. Please come along and be prepared to think differently about dementia” The exhibition is from Monday 26 June to Sunday 2 July 2017 at Sheffield Cathedral and is a celebration of original creative art by people living with dementia. Notes to editors: Find out more visit www.sydcae.co.uk “There has been increasing use of the arts in healthcare over the last 20 years. This has resulted in a number of health benefits for patients – including reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, length of hospital stay and perception of pain. For patients with mental health problems benefits have included improved communication skills, self-esteem and behavioural change. We also aim to provide art work which challenge the stigma of dementia and showcase the creative abilities of those with this condition. Art can make a difference for people with dementia – like a call to the brain, a connection, helping people come alive again. The exhibition is a celebration of talent that often goes unused in the community and an authentic dementia friendly event.” South Yorkshire Dementia Arts Exhibition.