Bay of Plenty artists are collaborating with local people living with Alzheimer’s to create artwork to show in a first-of-its-kind exhibition to open in Tauranga next month.

The Artful Mind exhibition will open at The Incubator Gallery on August 28 – and will be the vibrant product of eight artists spending time with 12 residents to create the artwork on show.

The idea is the brainchild of Tauranga geriatric psychiatrist Bronwyn Copeland, who is also an award-winning artist – and had the inkling to put her two passions together for the greater good.

“I love putting two strangers together to come up with a piece of artwork,” says Bronwyn, who is facilitating the project. “We’re working with people who are losing their memory – so art can capture a moment in time and be a way for them to express emotions.”

Artful Mind has seen Bronwyn and seven fellow BOP artists work with individuals living with dementia. Bronwyn is working to create artworks with four people.

“It’s very much a creative adventure. One piece metamorphosed into a sculptural piece as the lady and I worked together; another lady loved quilting and suggested stitching into the canvas,” says Bronwyn.

Jacki Barklie is working with a Tauranga man who has early onset Alzheimer’s. “This was a wonderful journey that delighted us both,” says Jacki.

“He’d never painted before and seemed a little hesitant, so I explained to him there was no judgment; we were just two five-year-olds painting and expressing on paper.”

They started working at each end of a two-metre piece of paper. “During the process we talked about life, travel and his passions and crossed over each other’s painting, filling in all the gap.

“We met three more times, and he also started painting when I wasn’t there. I’ve seen that creating has an amazing way of unblocking neural pathways, making a connection through expression.”

Together, Jacki and the man have contributed more than a dozen works of art to show at the exhibition. “He lives by himself, so art has filled a void in his life,” says Jacki. “I’ve spoken to his daughter and suggested she stock him up with paints and paper.

“It was a fabulous journey for me, and I’d like to think I’ve encouraged him and shown him a different way of expressing himself.”

Bronwyn says there’s “a huge variety of work being produced” for the exhibition, which in turn will support the work of the local Alzheimer’s Society.

The August 29-September 21 exhibition is being showcased into September, which is New Zealand’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Plus, most artworks will be for sale at the exhibition with funds raised going to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The Artful Mind exhibition opens on August 28 at 5.30pm at The Incubator Gallery, 159 17th Ave, Tauranga. Everyone is welcome. The exhibition runs 10am-3pm Mondays to Saturdays from August 29-September 21.

- SunLive