caring Communication

New York Museum of Modern Art inspires...
Skibbereen art scene
antry woman Sheila Goggin,
who will be 89 years old on
B December 26th next, has
recently visited Uillinn West
Cork Arts Centre as part of its
new In the Picture programme.
The programme offers opportunities for
older people – living in residential settings
or being cared for in their own homes in the
West Cork area – to participate in bespoke
facilitated experiences in the galleries. The In
the Picture concept was originally rolled-out
by New York’s Museum of Modern Art and is
designed to give older people and people living
with dementia an opportunity to participate in
art and cultural venues.
“It was very good, we walked around and
looked at all the art and I enjoyed it thoroughly.
I do a bit of art myself and would like to do
more of these types of visits,” said Sheila.
According to Sheila’s son Finbarr Goggin, this
visit and indeed the other artistic ventures that
Sheila is involved in have made a remarkable
difference to her life.
“Spending a great deal of time at home leads
to boredom and feelings of isolation but when
mam is out and about participating in art and
other cultural activities, she is at her best. She
comes home full of life and buzzing from the
activity,” explained Finbarr.
“The In the Picture programme involves
meaningful participation and I can see a huge
difference in mam when she returns from such
activities. A day or so after the visit, mam drew
a haunting picture of a tree blowing during a
gale.”
According to Sarah Cairns, who works as
an activities co-ordinator at Bantry General
Hospital, “By taking part In the Picture,
Sheila’s inner love for art and all things of
a cultural nature became hugely apparent
and she actively engaged with a selection of
artworks on exhibit. At one stage both she and
the other participants broke into song inspired
by the display.”
In the Picture delivers direct access to and
participation in the West Cork Arts Centre’s
exhibition programme and a sensitive space
for conversational and sensory contribution.
The discussions are facilitated by artists and
gallery educators trained in dementia care and
communication skills.
The programme is overseen by a committed
group of local partners from the HSE, Cork
Education & Training Board, West Cork Carers,
Cork County Council, and West Cork Arts
Centre who see at first hand the benefits that
it brings to people our communities.
Sarah Cairns added, “I see the art-work
lighting up the faces of people with dementia
and their carers reaction to this. It is
overwhelmingly powerful. There is an unusual
amount of ability available to people with
dementia to connect with and appreciate
art in all its forms, and also an ability to
connect with their own creative selves, this
is what In the Picture is offering people a
chance to tap into. Our sessions are about
making observations, describing and building
connections. Allowing each person the time to
comfortably observe and experience the space
and artwork.”
Programme Manager Justine Foster
Lifestyle
Sheila Goggin and artist facilitator Sarah Ruttle enjoying a facilitated art discussion at West Cork Arts
Centre.
explained that they now have a trained team of
professional artists delivering the programme.
“We provide ongoing professional
development support for both healthcare
and arts professionals in the area of arts and
dementia in order to extend and develop the
local pool of expertise and encourage dialogue
between arts and health practitioners who are
currently working with people who are living
with memory loss and dementia.”
This new development in Skibbereen is part
of Arts for Health Partnership Programme,
West Cork which has been delivering a hugely
successful arts and cultural programme for
the last 10 years in community hospitals and
day centres across West Cork.
winter 2015 | health matters | 67