Accelerators

For many people living with dementia and other chronic illnesses, it can feel like their freedom has been stripped away: their freedom to be inspired, their freedom to be moved and their freedom to create. ARTZ Philadelphia and Philadelphia Foundation restored this power through an exhibition that featured artwork created by participants living in long-term care communities and memory centers. The exhibition was titled “It Feels Like Freedom” – When Creativity Transcends A Diagnosis, after one of the featured artists explained how creating art uplifted her with a feeling of empowerment and liberty.

Sylvia always had an eye for beauty. As a beauty school graduate and self-proclaimed “expert in making people beautiful,” she found that self-expression through art gave her the ability to make connections and push the boundaries of artistic freedoms. After being diagnosed with dementia, much of her personal independence was taken from her. Her freedom to express herself artistically, however, was not. This year, Sylvia was a contributor to an exhibit called, “It Feels Like Freedom” – When Creativity Transcends A Diagnosis that was featured at Philadelphia Foundation’s offices. Sponsored by ARTZ Philadelphia, the artwork featured in the exhibit was created by artists living with memory loss, dementia and chronic illness. The two dozen works on display include watercolors, acrylics and mixed media works on paper by individual artists. It also featured collaborative nine-foot painted banners and large weavings.

The exhibition draws its title from a comment Sylvia made in a bi-weekly program facilitated by ARTZ Philadelphia at York Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in West Oak Lane. “It feels like freedom: I can do whatever I want,” she said. Through the program, Sylvia has rediscovered what it feels like to be inspired, to be freed – for a time – from the everyday bonds of illness and provided with the liberty to make her own choices.

At Philadelphia Foundation, we were proud to showcase these inspiring pieces of art. This program provides those with chronic illnesses an outlet to express themselves and find liberty in their everyday lives. It’s initiatives like these that are improving the quality of life for the Greater Philadelphia region’s residents, and we’re thrilled to be a part of them.