Arbors hosting reception, silent auctionof artwork created by dementia patients

The Arbors at Minerva is hosting an Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) show and auction Dec. 4 from 6-9 p.m. at the 400 Carolyn Court facility. 

Opening Minds Through Art is an intergenerational art-making program for people with dementia. It was created by experts at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Ohio Miami University over 10 years ago. It has won several awards and been featured in many scholarly articles. You can learn more about OMA at scrippsoma.org.

 The art show will begin with a reception and silent auction from 6-8 p.m. Appetizers and beverages as guests meet the artists, observe the art work and bid on the art work. All proceeds from the auction go toward providing future OMA Sessions and enriching the lives of older adults through the Arbors activity department. From 8-9 p.m. the artwork will be presented to the highest bidders. 

The Arbors at Minerva partnered with Kent State University’s Nursing Program, who provided volunteers to assist residents one-on-one in the art-making process. Officials said it was a great opportunity to instill the importance of building relationships and person-centered care in a class of future nurses. The art show is, in part, celebrating the willingness of future nurses to learn these skills. However, most importantly, it showcases that people with dementia are still able to creatively express themselves through art. Not only that, but it also shows the essence of who they are as a feeling person and emotional expression has not been stolen from them.