Art therapy touches lives at Runnells

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Posted on Wednesday, August 23 @ 14:06:18 CDT by webmaster

BERKELEY HEIGHTS — The Activities Therapy Department at Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County celebrates creativity with the “Art of The Masters” program. The program, administered by Creative Notions, has been enriching the lives of its participants with a two-step format since 2000, with projects that were designed with senior needs in mind.

“Runnells’ Activities Therapy Department brings the arts into our residents’ lives with hands-on programs,” said Union County Freeholder Vice Chair Bette Jane Kowalski who serves as the Freeholder Board’s liaison to the facility. “With the Art of the Masters program, our residents learn about an artist and create their own work of art. Participating in the arts increases self-esteem and develops physical skills. And it’s fun, too.“
The purpose of Runnells’ varied creative arts programs, facilitated by art therapists, recreation therapists and volunteers includes stimulating socialization and cognitive awareness.

About six years ago, Art of the Masters was invited to Runnells to do a program several times during that first year. Eventually, Runnells made the program a monthly staple of the extensive and varied activities program schedule. Each month Art of the Masters take participants on a journey through the lives and examine the works of some of the world’s most famous artists. First, residents learn the history of a featured artist by attending a lecture and then they paint, sculpt or draw to create a “masterpiece” similar or almost identical to that of the featured artist. Instructors work with each student on a one-on-one basis during the class. With each event they seem to leave with a greater understanding of the artist’s life, works, struggles and triumphs as well as with a greater appreciation for the various art mediums.

Art, through lectures and hands-on activities touches a wide range of individuals, from the active and independent to those who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Art of the Masters program participants have a great time, while building social skills.

Continued here …

Art fights Alzheimer’s Assisted-living center uses painting to stir imaginations of dementia patients

Art fights Alzheimer’s – Newsday.com

 BY ALEJANDRO LAZO
Newsday Staff Writer

July 16, 2006

Norman Davidson’s memories are like the scenic watercolors he creates: moments frozen in the instant, imbued with the color of his sentimental interpretation.

The Bronx native learned to paint as a boy. Now, the gentle, 81-year-old man is caught in the throes of Alzheimer’s disease, incurable and devastating, and he slowly loses his memories.

Nothing has slowed his decline. But to cope with the fits of frustration that are part of the condition’s terrain,

Davidson has returned to his painting, this time as a form of therapy.

“It brings me back to my teenage years, when I used to do sculptures and stuff like that,” Davidson said recently outside his apartment at Bristal Assisted Living in North Woodmere. “My father also was an artist; we had a good relationship. But I taught myself.” Continued here

Groups tackle life’s difficulties through art therapy

Groups tackle life's difficulties through art therapy Grand View College teaches the technique. Then, a class takes it out on the road.

MEGAN HAWKINS REGISTER STAFF WRITER
April 10, 2006

DesMoinesRegister.com

ANDREA MELENDEZ/REGISTER PHOTOS In Des Moines:
Rachel Rockwell, right, a Grand View College student, laughs as she and Ruth Clark, a Calvin Community resident, work on an art therapy project.To learn more, visit the American Art Therapy Association's Web site at http://www.arttherapy.org

My animal: Mary Warren, 86, molds clay into a penguin during an art therapy session planned by Grand View College students.

Hard at work: Marcy Nelson, 85, shares a laugh with Grand View College student Rachel Rockwell, 32, as they mold clay into animals recently at Calvin Community in Des Moines.

Some weeks it's collage, or paper cutouts. On a recent Saturday morning, art therapy took shape through clay. "It gives you a chance to express yourself," said Pat Krohmer , 82, as she worked the dough in her hands. Throughout the spring, Grand View College students in Iowa's only art therapy program meet with residents at Des Moines' Calvin Community to demonstrate and practice their skills. Art therapy can be used for many things, such as releasing pent-up emotion or expressing ideas through a language barrier. The students' goals with Calvin Community residents are to reduce stress and depression, lower blood pressure, and to communicate medical symptoms. "It allows people to express feelings and emotions in a more playful, open manner," said instructor Roberta Victor.

Art therapy, a combination of psychology and art, is gaining ground nationally and in Iowa, Victor said. At Grand View, the introductory class has grown from five students when Victor began teaching in 2000 to about 23 students now, she said. More students are on a waiting list. Grand View students said the field appeals to them for many reasons, but they emphasized that anyone can use it. "You don't have to be an artist," said student Siggy Frankel , 38. "Everyone can do this and everyone can succeed.

We all have feelings, fears, thoughts." At the art therapy sessions at Calvin, students take turns planning creative activities and discussions, and establishing relationships with residents. They typically assign a project, then discuss thoughts and interpretations that come from creating the art. When they recently worked with clay, everyone made animals they felt symbolized them. The residents gave thoughtful explanations. "This ended up being a dachshund," began Marcy Nelson , 85, lifting her small clay figure as she described it to the group. "When you come home and open up the door, they're right there to greet you. I like dogs a lot but can't have one here." Krohmer made a cat and named it, too.

She said it reminds her of her daughter. "My daughter has a cat, and she's always calling to tell me strange things the cat does," she said, smiling. "It will go get an afghan or a towel and arrange it all on the floor." Victor, who works with individuals and groups, said art therapy can be helpful in many fields of work, such as in social work, counseling or nursing.

While some of the Grand View students plan to become art therapists – they must first get master's degrees, which are only offered out of state – others are already nurses or teachers who want to incorporate the methods into their own work. Katie Glenn, 21, a Grand View senior and a nurse in Des Moines, has used art therapy with children in the hospital. "Some of the terminally ill kids, the things they produce, a lot of adults couldn't express," she said.

Students and some of the residents cited favorite projects and some that made them stop and reflect about things long-forgotten. Explained student Rachel Rockwell , 32, "You never know what project is going to speak to someone."

Source: http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060410/LIFE02/604100325/1042