New West seniors are exercising their creativity and contributing to the city’s newest art gallery.
A new art gallery in Royal City Manor, a long-term care facility, showcases the artwork of people with dementia and other cognitive challenges. The gallery opened Sept. 2.
“Art therapy has profound positive effects on victims of cognitive disease,” said Dr. David Freedman, medical director at Royal City Manor. “This art gallery shows our residents – and will show the public – that their work is of value and of interest to others.”
Leslie Torresan, Royal City Manor’s recreation manager, was instrumental in setting up the gallery that features art by more than 40 residents.
“The therapeutic effect of art improves our residents’ quality of life and gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment and it gives a voice to people who can’t always express themselves in conventional ways,” she said in a press release.
The artwork proves to residents that they are capable of creating something beautiful that others can enjoy, Torresan said.
“Some family members have been surprised to discover their loved ones have this hidden artistic talent,” she added.
Torresan told the Record the gallery is in keeping with the City of New Westminster’s vision of creating a dementia-friendly community.
“Art projects have been developed to best represent our residents’ past leisure interests and adapted to ensure successful outcomes, with artwork our residents are truly proud of,” she said. “This is a testament to the belief that residents with dementia and/or physical challenges are still more than capable of being creative and productive. This art gallery has given a voice to residents who cannot always express themselves in conventional ways. It also shows that at this stage of their life journey they are still able to contribute and be of value and interest to their peers and their community.”
