The Artist Within—a pioneering exhibit of artwork created by vibrant individuals, 60 to 101 years of age, who are living with dementia—opens Jan. 9 at the UW School of Social Work. This exhibit gleefully illustrates that people living with dementia can live with creativity and joy. 
The exhibit and its companion activities have reached more than 20,000 people. The presentation’s power to transform thinking about dementia and the people who live with it is profound—decreasing stigma, building hope, providing opportunities for engagement, and creating joy and pride for the artists and their families.
The Artist Within exhibit is open to the public from Jan. 9 to March 31, 2017 in the School of Social Work First Floor Gallery, 4101 15th Avenue NE, Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A reception, also open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, 4 – 6 p.m.
The exhibit is presented by The Art of Alzheimer’s—a group dedicated to the power of the creative arts to enrich the lives of people living with dementia, their families and caregivers. This yearlong program of events, discussions and outreach arts workshops seeks to shine a spotlight on the importance of creative expression, expand access to these valuable programs, and engage the disengaged: overcoming fear and stigma, fostering empathy and advancing knowledge and engagement so that we all may be better partners in building a dementia friendly community.
The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of Neighborhood Matching Fund, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, 4Culture, Mirabella Seattle, Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, ERA Living and the Seattle City Office of Arts and Culture.
Artwork by Diane Lamb Wanucha