Fall Arts Showcase Recap: Frame of Mind Exhibit Opening + Meet and Greet with Dr. Julia Becke

At the Fall Arts Showcase on September 25, the Memory Hub atrium buzzed with the voices of community members who had come to view the newest installation of the Frame of Mind Exhibit (virtual gallery). This annual rotating exhibit celebrates the many gifts, strengths and unique perspectives people with memory loss offer our community. The showcase featured the chance to hear from many of the featured artists, as well as attend a Meet and Greet with the Memory Hub's first Artist in Residence, dancer and doctor Dr. Julia Becke.

It's an honor to show my work," said Kimberley Rettig, one of the featured artists. “Creativity is a path taken by so many with memory loss [and other brain diseases]. Expression through art opens healing paths for those who create it, and for those who receive it. Art tells life stories and life interpretations, and art has been that for me."

Hearing from the artists themselves gave the audience insight into the artists' motivations and diverse approaches. Bill Wheeler, who practices macrophotography, revealed that he likes helping people see aspects of insects that most have never see or even know existed. Janet Salsbury, program coordinator for Elderwise, shared the featured works of two artists from this adult day program, in which participants enjoy watercolor painting among other social and creative activities. Salsbury explained that Robert Knickerbocker often paints colorfiul geometric images that often look like human faces; Mark Brashem's work often references natural elements such as water, rainbows, and stars.

Rosie Schwartz shared that her featured paintings represent precious subjects from her life experiences, such as her travels in Africa, and her son's photographs. Jean Chen spoke about how she forages for colorful papers and dried botanicals to create evocative collages that sometimes include watercolor painting within them. Kimberley Rettig shared how art is a catalyst for communicating about living with memory loss and maintaining her identity. Of her painting Memory Amiss, she said, "As memories become smaller, I envision my memories residing in a peaceful ocean."

 

Read about the artists

See full exhibit

 

The 2024 Fall Arts Showcase presented a twist on previous openings of the Frame of Mind exhibit by including an interactive Q&A with the Memory Hub's first Artist in Residence, Dr. Julia Becke. Dr. Becke described her passion for dance, which made it clear why dance, movement, and music can help people living with memory loss to engage with others and express themselves. "Dance felt like a natural way to express feelings that it's hard to find words for and it’s easy to use the vocabulary of dance to share the inner workings of your part in the world," she said.

After she discussed her new program of offering dance and movement classes at the Memory Hub and other community locations, she invited the entire audience to take part in a seated dance, using expressive arm gestures to perform a reverence, or the closing sequence in a dance class to express gratitude. The room erupted into a sea of arms waving in unison. 

"By the end of the night, my heart was full," said Marigrace Becker. "I loved the energy that came from combining the art exhibit with the meet and greet."