Group’s creative homes celebrate the world of art

CARE homes across Dorset have chosen creative ways to celebrate visual art and culture.

Residents at Colten Care homes in Poole, Sherborne, West Moors and Longham have all enjoyed activities, talks and presentations inspired by the annual Unesco World Art Day.

Abbey View in Sherborne showcased the work of 96-year-old artist and resident Rosemary Dodd.

Alongside an exhibition of several of her paintings, Rosemary was interviewed in front of an audience of fellow residents by her daughter Roz and friend and auctioneer Matthew Lacey.

Rosemary was especially active as an artist in the 1960s. Two of her pieces adorned the walls of the Royal Society of British Artists’ summer exhibition in London in 1966 and she recalled being invited later to a Women of the Year luncheon in Dorchester.

Rosemary said she was delighted to have the opportunity to exhibit her work at Abbey View and speak about her talent and enthusiasm for art to an audience.

She added: “I have always loved art and colour. From my earliest memories as a child, I loved to draw.

art demonstration by New Forestbased equine illustrator and author Alan Langford.

They watched and asked questions as he sketched and coloured a picture of a horse. As he worked, he explained the different techniques he was using.

At the end of the visit, Alan donated his picture to the residents.

“They were absolutely enthralled by Alan’s session, how quickly he built up the picture, and his surprise gift at the end,” said companionship team member Jo Vardy.

“Alan has kindly offered to return to hold an art masterclass, hearing that we have some keen painters among us, especially residents Patricia Upshall and Pam Roberts, who were transported back to happy memories of days when they were creating art themselves.”

At The Aldbury, residents celebrated World Art Day by decorating canvas squares in 10 different artistic styles. They added lettering so that when the squares were put in a sequence, they spelled out the name of the home.

The session was an opportunity to discuss art history and the influence of movements such as cubism, surrealism, impressionism and pop art.

Seabrooke Manor resident May O’Neil celebrated her 103rd birthday recently. May, who moved to the Ilford home in 2019, was born and grew up in Plaistow, London with her twin sister, who is now also in a care home. She attended a school in Plaistow and, at the age of 14, she worked for a paper company until she met and married her husband Barney. They had one daughter who May stayed at home looking after as a housewife. When her daughter was 12, May went to work as a sales assistant in her friend’s shop. May likes to take part in some of the home’s activities including chair exercises, gardening and bingo. May always takes pride in her appearance, always matching her clothes well and doing her hair and nails. Everyone enjoyed joining in with her birthday celebrations.

“I am so happy I have had the chance to have an exhibition in my lifetime.”

Companionship team member Bev de Bruyn said: “During question time from a full house of residents, Rosemary radiated such joy and passion. It was delightful to watch her being interviewed and to hear her insights.”

At Brook View in West Moors, residents were treated to a talk and

At Bourne View in Poole, residents made and decorated bookmarks for distribution to local libraries and community contacts.

The focus at Fernhill, Colten’s dementia care home in Longham near Bournemouth, was on creating a ‘tree of life’ artwork reflecting the four seasons of the year.

World Art Day has been celebrated internationally every year since 2012 on the birthday of Leonardo Da Vinci.