It’s never too late to find your creative voice or benefit from creativity, as the vibrant new exhibition at Newport-based arts for wellbeing charity Independent Arts shows.
The diverse and exciting collection of artwork – from photography and batik-style flags, to collagraphy prints and 3-D collages, as well as audio reminiscences – have all been created by residents of Island care homes, working with Independent Arts’ freelance arts practitioners Lou Elliott, Kirstie Hayler and Miranda Amapola.
The artwork in the current exhibition comes from Cornelia Manor Residential Care Home, Cherry Trees Rest Home, Downside Residential Care Home, Eden House, The Gouldings Resource Centre, Hazel Lodge, Inglefield Nursing & Residential Home, Kite Hill Care Home, Newport Residential Care Home, Solent Grange Nursing Home, The Saltings and Northbrooke House.
Lynne Rose, Deputy Manager at Newport Residential Care has said:
“Some residents may be living with conditions such as dementia, so it’s about engaging meaningfully with people in ways that work for them.”
”Independent Arts certainly enrich and enhance their well-being.”
There is strong research data to demonstrate that creative activities aid mental and physical well-being. With dementia in particular, the creative part of the brain is the most powerful and stays strongest for the longest. So creative mediums can help people communicate and encourage feelings of well-being and provide a reprieve from anxiety.
The exhibition, which is free of charge, runs until 26th November, Monday-Saturday 10:00-16:30 at Independent Arts on Newport High Street.
If you would like to know more about Workshops for Wellbeing, visit www.independentarts.org.uk or pop into Independent Arts.
