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| "It's been interesting watching Gloria paint, her paintings have become more complex, and she's been taking more chances really, which is exciting to see." |
Anne Galbraith
Art Therapy Intern, OPICA |
| "My mom is able to express herself through painting in a way she no longer can with words." |
| Julie Meisner Eagle |
Anne: "How do you know when your painting is finished?"
Gloria: "When it makes me feel good." |
ART THERAPY at OPICA
Gloria's Art
OPICA ART EVENT
ART THERAPY at OPICA
The OPICA art therapy group has been meeting regularly for about three years. We began the group with the objective of helping our clients, who are aware of their Alzheimer's or other type of dementia, to form a community with each other. Every Wednesday morning, the group of seven members meets around a table set up with art supplies. The group is led by three therapists who ask questions that help facilitate meaningful discussion. Often, we ask the group members to draw how they are feeling or what they think is going on in their brains. We are always amazed at the visually descriptive images they are able to create.
While creating the art, they discuss their feelings, thoughts, concerns, and coping strategies centered around these problems. The art helps to reinforce and facilitate the conversation. Often, the clients are able to dialogue with each other once there is a visual image to help make the idea more concrete.
The art product, no matter how simple, is a mode of externalizing the emotional pain that many of these members face. The groups reinforce the members' ability to manage their lives and form friendships. The use of the art therapy modality helps to provide a non-threatening, pleasurable experience. Simple marks on paper can help them express emotions and ideas that are hard to verbalize. The art therapy directives are structured to stimulate brain activity and activate intrinsic and extrinsic memories.
This group has far exceeded our hopes and expectations. It has truly become a peer support group. The members have formed a community, and are able to help each other to cope with this major life challenge. Art therapy is an extremely powerful and useful tool for this population. We are thrilled that our group has made and continues to make a difference in many people's lives.
Due to the outpouring of interest in Gloria's artwork, reproductions of
Gloria's favorite paintings ("Untitled - #1 and "Light & Heavy" - #2 both
viewable "below") are currently being printed.
Click here if you would like to reserve one or more of these special prints:
A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit OPICA and their Art Therapy
Program.
We thank you for honoring this spirit of self-discovery in the face of
adversity.
"Untitled"
Original Dimensions: 18" x 24"
Medium: Acrylic
Date Painted: May 2001
Notes: This painting was the featured piece at the OPICA Art Show.
"I like the colors in this one, that's what I go for"
- Gloria |
Print 1
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"Light & Heavy"
Original Dimensions: 16" x 20"
Medium: Mixed Media - Water Color, Acrylic & Crapas
Date Painted: October 2001
Notes: This is one of the paintings that has always made Gloria feel good.
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Print 2
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"Clashing"
Original Dimensions: 9" x 12"
Medium: Acrylic
Date Painted: April 2001
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Print 3 |
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"Untitled"
Original Dimensions: 9" x 12"
Medium: Acrylic
Date Painted: April 2001
Notes: This painting was selected as the invitation cover for the OPICA Art
Event
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Print 4 |
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| "It's (OPICA) really changed her life. It's given her a new reason to get up in the morning." |
| Julie Meisner Eagle |
Some of the members of OPICA's Art Therapy group were no strangers to painting; others, like Gloria, had never painted before. The second Gloria picked up a paintbrush, her life was instantly enriched. The annual OPICA Art Show is a celebration of uninhibited self-expression on canvas.
Each year OPICA hosts a fundraiser showcasing the remarkable artistic talents of their members. On October 20, 2001, OPICA featured artists like Gloria and the many others with a display of 100 pieces of original artwork at the WRITERS BOOT CAMP space at Bergamot Station, home to the Santa Monica Museum of Art. For the OPICA artists, this was the first time their work had been featured in a prominent gallery space, and for the OPICA staff, it was another opportunity to change the thinking that most people have of the abilities of those with Alzheimer's.
Like the many faces and personalities of OPICA, the show reflected a wide range of color, styles and movements. From Gloria's "dancing lines," to Peter's blocks of colors, and the vivid landscapes by Al, there was no mistaking the energy and originality each artist brought to their work.
While the most ardent supporters of OPICA filed in to admire the works of their family and friends, the exhibit also benefited from other gallery openings at Bergamot that same day. The result was a windfall of visitors who drifted from gallery to gallery.
What began as a simple tribute to artists with memory disorders, had become a hotspot for the general public, fine art experts and collectors. One collector who drifted into the OPICA event by chance remarked, "This is the best collection of art I've seen today."
Another visitor to the OPICA event after learning that the featured artists were battling memory disorders commented, "These paintings are so free. The artists have no agenda - they just paint what they feel. It's so refreshing to be here."
On that night, the OPICA members were the stars, and those who came to see
their work witnessed not only artists in their prime but the true power of
the human spirit.
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