In the News
Free Seniors Day at The Rubin Museum of Art , New York City
The first Monday of every month seniors (65 and older) receive free Museum admission. In addition, they will be offering a 10% discount on selected items in the Shop and Café, a free film at 1 p.m., and a free guided tour at 3 p.m.
Group Tours
Tours are available during museum hours for organized groups and senior centers. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 212.620.5000 x 345.
Rubin Museum of Art is located at 150 West 17 th Street (between 6 th and 7 th Avenues).
Founded in 1999 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit trust, Rubin Museum of Art ( RMA ), the premier museum of Himalayan art in the Western world, opened to the public in October 2004. RMA is governed by an independent Board of Directors, which, with its professional staff, has led the museum to become universally recognized by newcomers and connoisseurs alike for showcasing the art of the Himalayas . Through its collections and extensive public programming, the museum is a resource to the diverse communities that live in or travel to the New York region.
The museum's collection of over 2,000 works of art includes Himalayan paintings, sculpture, textiles, ritual objects, and prints spanning a period from the 2 nd century to the 20 th century. The works of art in the collection are drawn from the cultures that touch upon the 1,800 mile arc of mountains that extends from Afghanistan in the northwest to Myanmar ( Burma ) in the southeast and includes Tibet , Nepal , Mongolia , and Bhutan . The larger Himalayan cultural sphere, determined by significant cultural exchange over millennia, includes Iran , India , China , Central Asia, and Southeast Asia .
For more information on the Rubin Museum of Art: www.rmanyc.org
Hearthstone's Artist for Alzheimer's Program
featured on
NEW YORK , July 2, 2006 – Irene Brenton has Alzheimer’s, yet here she was at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, laughing, getting witty about a painting called “The Breakfast Room.” "Maybe he was hungry," she said. "He painted it before he ate!" Usually, Alzheimer's patients develop what doctors call "the four A's" — anxiety, aggression, agitation and apathy. Yet there was Sheila Barnes, with severe short-term memory loss, chatting about her past — "My father was a writer and an editor," she recalled — while contemplating a French masterpiece and relaxing in front of Rousseau's mysterious "Sleeping Gypsy." "I think it's a picture of mutual peace and trust," Barnes said. "The animal is not afraid of the man; the man is not afraid of the animal." The four A's often fade in front of great art, and patients calm down ...... |
Reviving memories through art
Her eyes have failed and her mind is beginning to fade,
but in her mind's eye, 88-year-old Nellie Woolley still sees clear and bright.
To view the full article from the Boston Globe, please click here.
New England Psychologist
February 2006 Vol. 14, No. 1
Art tries to imitate life for Alzheimer's patients
By Jennifer Chase Esposito
"Art therapy" conjures images of kids and adults communicating through puppets, song and crafts, if they can't verbally. And in recent years, Alzheimer's disease experts have found that observing art can be just as effective a tool for increasing communication in Alzheimer's patients as creating it.
Three museums in New England (with more on the way across the country) are reaching out to people with Alzheimer's and their families by making available their collections to all of their patrons. By going to elegant, erudite venues like New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Bruce Museum of Arts and Sciences in Greenwich, Conn., people with Alzheimer's are viewing art in hopes of rekindling memories thanks to the brushstrokes and dots of artists both famous and nameless.
"We don't really see it as 'therapy,' but as treatment," says John Zeisel, Ph.D., who with Joan Hyde, Ph.D., founded the Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Family Foundation and the Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, Ltd. Hearthstone is based on the non-pharmacologic treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that focus on the effects art, music and physical environment can have.
To view the full article, please visit the NE Psychologist website at www.nepsy.com
Artist for Alzheimer's Program
featured in the New York Times
This article focuses on our innovative partnership with the Museum of Modern Art
in New York, called "Meet Me at MoMA and Make Memories" .
For a copy of the article, please click here.
(in .pdf format)
A4A Art Program Recognized at
International Conference in Norway
Trondheim, Norway - The Artists for Alzheimer’s Program was awarded a Citation of Honor from the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (IAHSA) at its annual conference, held this year in Trondheim, Norway. This award is given in recognition of organizations that are models of innovation and excellence and that contribute significantly to the quality of life of the individuals served. “Artists for Alzheimer’s” was one of only three programs worldwide that were singled out for such an honor. Dr. Joan Hyde, co-founder of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care and the Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Family Foundation, was in Norway at the annual conference and accepted the beautiful inscribed glass award on behalf of the “Artists for Alzheimer’s” program.
Pictured above are all three award winners:
Joan Hyde accepting the award for A4A (4th from l to r) with Alex Tranter, Awards Committee Chair - CareMalta, Malta and K.R. Gangadharan, IAHSA Board Member
Reem Siddiqi, spokesperson for IAHSA in Washington, D.C., released the following statement, “IAHSA is pleased to present the "Artists for Alzheimer's" program, an initiative of the Hearthstone Alzheimer's Family Foundation, with a Citation of Honor for the 2005 IAHSA Excellence in Aging Services Award program. "Artists for Alzheimer's" was selected for this citation from a number of submissions from five countries for its work and impact on the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer's disease, as well as for family members, caregivers, and artists.”
“Artists for Alzheimer’s” connects volunteer artists to people living with dementia. Since its inception in 2002, the program has worked with over sixty volunteer artists, ranging in age from eight to ninety-eight. The artists have shared more than just their talent; they have made profound emotional connections with participants. In turn, these artists have been given a glimpse of Alzheimer’s that much of society doesn’t see— that people with the disease are very much “alive” and can be awakened through creativity, compassion, and understanding.
In addition, the Artists for Alzheimer's program has launched a national tour of Alzheimer’s art. Entitled “I’m Still Here: Alzheimer’s and Creative Expression,” this exhibition recently returned to Massachusetts after being showcased at the John Michael Kohler Art Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and at Banner Health Systems, an affiliate group of non-profit hospitals in Phoenix, Arizona. Current projects include: a collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art in New York which will lead to the opening of an Alzheimer’s art program within the museum’s education department, and ongoing research into the efficacy of art as treatment for people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
This award recognizes all volunteers and participants—thank you.
Innovative play about Alzheimer's Disease now available on DVD!
I‘m Still Here! tells the story of Jim Lerner, a person recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It follows the Lerner family through the difficult passage of denial, diagnosis, and awareness.
The diagnosis presents Jim with several important decisions: How will this affect his relationships? Will he embrace the disease and help others with an Alzheimer’s diagnosis? As you watch the drama unfold, you will experience the hope and triumph of Jim’s story and others like him who are living with Alzheimer’s.
This live performance was filmed as part of a partnership between a local city government and The A4A Program to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and the choices available for people living with this disease. The goal of the play is to invite dialogue and reduce the stigma associated with the disease.
The DVD is available for a tax deductible $50.00 donation to the Artist for Alzheimer's Program.
Introducing our Newest “Artist-in-Residence”
Cat Cutillo, a professional photographer, was recently named “Artist-in-Residence” for the Artists for Alzheimer’s (A4A) program in Manhattan. Through her photography, Cat will be documenting the A4A program by attending various activity and event programs at the site.
Cat Cutillo graduated from Tulane University. In college, Cat taught creative writing to adult literacy students through an organized YMCA program. Cat went on to study photojournalism at Brooks Institute of Photography in Ventura, CA. She's been working as a freelance photographer since moving to New York City in August 2004. You can visit her website at www.catcutillo.com.
Effectiveness of Art Therapy Highlighted at Mayoral Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease in New York City
New York, NY—According to Francesca Rosenberg, Director of Community and Access Programs at The Museum of Modern Art (www.moma.org), and Dr. John Zeisel, President of Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, art institutions can play an important role in improving the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Speaking at the Mayoral Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease, Rosenberg and Zeisel discussed their experience collaborating on an Alzheimer’s training program for MoMA Education staff. This training—facilitated through Zeisel’s “Artists for Alzheimer’s” program—included an overview of the disease process, proper communication techniques, how different areas of the brain are affected, and how art is perceived by those in various stages of dementia. This training program, according to Ms. Rosenberg, will allow MoMA to have specialized tours specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Zeisel remarked, “The partnership between ‘Artists for Alzheimer’s’ and The Museum of Modern Art represents a lessening of the cultural stigma that has often accompanied this disease.”
(L to R)
Francesca Rosenberg of MoMA,
John Zeisel from Hearthstone
Alzheimer Care,
Tony Yang-Lewis from Cobble Hill Health, and Jed Levine from the Alzheimer’s Association of NY City,
at the Mayoral Confernce.
Artists for Alzheimer’s Featured in Television Program
Dr. John Zeisel was recently interviewed on “One-on-One” by Emmy-award winning television host Steve Adubato. During the interview Zeisel discussed his research into non-pharmacologic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and also his role as Producer with the “Artists for Alzheimer’s” program. Zeisel is the co-founder of the Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Family Foundation. “One-on-One” is broadcast throughout the Northeast United States on the Comcast channel.
“One-on-One” television host Steve Adubato
and Dr. John Zeisel.
I’m Still Here: Alzheimer’s and Creative Expression
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
November, 2004 through January, 2005
On the evening of November 18 th, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (www.JMKAC.org) opened a groundbreaking exhibition entitled: I’M STILL HERE: ALZHEIMER’S AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION. Fifty-one works—comprising paintings, drawings, and collages—were created by people living with Alzheimer’s disease, all of whom participated in the Artists for Alzheimer’s program. According to organizers, the exhibition is a reflection on the loss and recovery of a clearly defined “sense of self” through the merger of disease and artistic intervention. From delicate flower and still-life studies to landscapes, faces, and abstractions, the images reflect the sensitive and astute observations of their makers. The exhibition ran through January 2005, then began its national tour with a stop at Banner Heath Care Systems of Phoenix, Arizona.
"I was moved by the feelings that washed over me, I could feel the artists energies coming off the pieces. They are in there!!!! and how wonderfull to communicate in this way - no misunderstandings - right here right now, their feelings. And I was moved to know that this would not be a lost memory. I could share and their families could share and the Community could share and see that these people are real, and a real moment in time was recorded for them. Because of this, I am sure that the Art from our patients and our Community belongs on our Hospital's walls. As a prcaticing RN for over 25 years, I need to know that our Hospital is truly about Life and Living and touching people, and showing Real art works on our walls opens all of us up to a larger understanding and appreciation of who we are and how we all are connected to each other. And that we are part of the Community in more intimate ways than "just" a medicinal service."
A4A Artist Cheryl Perrault's performance poetry is featured in The Hopkinton Crier.
To read the article, click here.
Magazine.Art recently featured Artists for Alzheimer’s in its Winter 2004 edition. Magazine.Art is a quarterly publication of New York Dance & Arts Innovations (www.nydai.org). The magazine is a forum for writers and artists, allowing them to express their creativity and share their knowledge with a broad audience.
To view this article,
please click here
AFA introduces the Artist in Residence Program
Artists for Alzheimer's
is pleased to announce that Tanya Azarani was named the first "Artist
in Residence" for our location in New York City. Tanya was chosen
because of the tremendous impact she has had in the lives of people living
with Alzheimer's disease. Through her hands-on painting workshops, Tanya
has made profound connections with many of the participants. Tanya has
designed a curriculum for her participants that enable them to reach individual
goals and learn different artistic techniques. Thank you Tanya!
Please see Tanya's bio on our "Meet
the Artists" page.
Marily Cintra will be heading up our first international chapter of Artists for Alzheimer's:
Marily is an artist and cultural planner with 36 years experience in community cultural development.
As a ceramic artist, Marily participated in more than sixty exhibitions including
· Canberra Contemporary Art Space (solo),
· Art Museum of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (solo),
· Galeria Macunaima (Brazilian National Foundation for the Arts, Rio de Janeiro (solo),
· "Bias Binding" National Gallery of Victoria, Australia,
· 11th, 12th and 14th International Biennial of Ceramics, Vallauris, France,
· TIEC' 94 - Taipei International Exhibition of Ceramics 94, Taipei, Taiwan.
· 2nd and 3rd International Biennial of Artistic Ceramic, Aveiro, Portugal,
· International Biennial of Contemporary Ceramics of Grottaglie, Italy.
· 1st 2nd, and 3rd World Triennial of Small Ceramics, Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
· 5th, 6th, and 7th National Award of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil.
Marily also received the 1997 national award for "Community, Environment, Art and Design", Australia Council for the Arts and the New South Wales 1998 Women and the Arts Fellowship. for their work at Liverpool Hospital, " a model of innovation and creative place-making".
For more information click here: www.placemaking.com.au
Click here to view pictures from past performances!