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| SOCIETY | MAIN LINE SUBURBAN LIFE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2016
C
CREATING CONNECTIONS
Wayne Art Center offers new classes for Alzheimer’s patients
Other outreach classes for senior citizens, autistic students and underserved girls By Linda Stein lstein@21st-centurymedia.com @lsteinreporter on Twitter
Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers are coming to a new program at the Wayne Art Center that includes viewing and making art: Meet me at WAC, Connecting with Art for Alzheimer’s. Nancy Campbell, WAC executive director, said she was inspired by a similar program at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and wanted to bring such a program geared toward helping Alzheimer’s patients to WAC earlier this year. Fall classes that are free, except for a $10 materials fee, begin Sept. 15. RADNOR >>
Abby Laible, who teaches the class, said she believes it’s most helpful for people with early or middle stage Alzheimer’s disease, although even those in the later stages seem to enjoy seeing the art. The small group classes spend about 45 minutes in the gallery where “We talk about things that remind them of something,” she said. This is followed by another 45 minutes where Laible guides the participants in creating an art project in the studio. “By that time, they’re ready to go,” said Laible. Both Campbell and Laible, an artist, graphic designer and painter, went to the MoMA to study that program before imple-
menting the new program at WAC. The program at WAC goes further because the participants are able to create art instead of viewing and discussing it, said Campbell. Campbell said her own mother-in-law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s so she knows how it affects families. One couple who takes the class includes the wife, a former “artist who exhibited all over the place” but now has dementia, and her husband, said Laible. “She is still a perfectionist” and “he is so devoted and sweet.” “We’re excited to be able to offer this program,” said Campbell. “Art has so many
Broaden Your World at WAC participants.
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therapeutic benefits.” Exposure to art has been shown to improve shortterm memory, increase self-confidence and offer a meaningful cultural experience, she said. Laible added, “When you see them in the gallery, their eyes light up. It encourages conversation. In the moment, they’re enjoying it.” WAC also offers the Plus Art program for senior citizens as part of its outreach to the community. Those classes are free for people with financial hardships, said Campbell. “My youngest student is 70,” said artist Kate Hochner. “Most are in their 80s. They love coming. It’s a social thing.” The students use the ceramics studio to create various projects. Hochner believes working in “3D” is helpful for the seniors. “The class has a comfortable relaxed atmosphere where you can learn different techniques, explore their use, and have fun,” said Judy Matthews of Malvern. “The backgrounds and histories of the individuals in the group make for rich conversation and good exchange of ideas. The atmosphere, learning, and interesting conversation is fostered by Kate, our teacher. This is not surprising as I have found all the instructors I have taken classes with at WAC to be helpful and supportive of my efforts. I look forward to Friday mornings with the group,” said Matthews. Broaden Your World, another program at WAC, caters to people with traumatic brain injuries and other disabilities. Taught by Hochner, the participants are learning to work with ceramics and
Meet Me at WAC participants. mosaics. Campbell credits John Scanlon, a Malvern resident, with urging her to start that program about five years ago. “He was a very determined man,” she said. Scanlon “believed that we should have classes with people with disabilities and so it happened.” “Broaden Your World is a place for persons with all disabilities to express their inner feelings,” said Scanlon. “I came up with this idea because most people in the rehabilitation type settings are not given the opportunity to let go and think outside of the box. This is a time to be around other friends and to grow or further cultivate an interest in the artistic world. Doing this helps to ‘broaden’ the mind and help to realize there are other ways to accomplish a task.” Paoli resident Tracey Melia said, “I like the pace of the class. I work slower than most people, so I never get to completely finish my painting or pottery in a regular class. The price also makes it affordable, since I can only come every other Tuesday. Going to the class is like a brief vacation. I can focus on what I am working on and forget the aches, pains and frustrations of my cerebral palsy.” “The nice thing is the so-
cial interaction of people who would not be meeting each other and bringing out their talents and encouraging each other,” said Hochner. Those classes are two hours each week. WAC is also reaching out in other ways and sends art teachers to work with students at the Timothy School, in Berwyn, which serves 60 students on the autism spectrum. Also, WAC runs a tuition-free after school program for underserved girls at St. Augustine Academy in Norristown, teaching cooking, drama and ceramics, said Campbell. Those students also receive scholarships to come to WAC for summer camp, she said. “I don’t think many have stable homes,” she said. Their families “have limited resources.” But while they are at St. Augustine the children “are in a place where they are safe and loved,” she said. Volunteers from St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne help staff that program. These programs are free or at nominal cost to the participants. WAC receives some grants to run them but is seeking more funding, said Campbell. “We serve everybody in the community,” Campbell said.
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