Runwood Home Group including Sanders Senior Living, are thrilled to announce the debut of their residents’ extraordinary creative talents at two highly anticipated art exhibitions in Essex Libraries. The exhibitions will be held at Colchester Library from 13th – 22nd August and at Harlow Library from 6th – 29th September. This collection of art, lovingly crafted by residents from various homes, showcases the profound artistic abilities within our vibrant community.
The Wellbeing team at Runwood Homes Group (Kieun Kwon and Sarah Dodsworth) has been working with wellbeing leads in each home for the past few months to celebrate the national theme of Arts in Care Homes. This is only the beginning of the journey, and they plan to carry on with this community engagement from now on. They are also anticipating an exhibition in Doncaster Museum later this year.
Artistic expression is a deeply enriching activity for many of their residents, providing a vital means of retaining a sense of self and purpose. The journey towards these exhibition dates has been filled with anticipation, achievement, and sheer joy. Featuring a mix of art from several Essex homes, the exhibition captures pieces created both in lively group settings and in more personal, reflective moments. The project has sparked fascinating conversations, joyous laughter, and heartfelt reminiscing, making the experience as memorable as the artwork itself. They hope you enjoy their exhibition as much as they have cherished creating it.
One resident expressed their delight, saying, “I am delighted to have my picture in a gallery, who would have thought it?”
Adding a touch of literary brilliance, a touching poem composed by Ron Jackson, a resident from the Stafford Hall Care Home who is also the home’s dementia champion, will be part of the exhibition, enhancing the emotional depth of the display. A snippet of his poem reads:
“A beautiful heart that is home,
Dwelling peacefully in flowers and light,
Where dancing clouds freely roam,
And glitter rainbows in the light
Sigh soft breeze.”
Sarah Dodsworth, Regional Wellbeing and Dementia Support, beautifully articulated, “It is fabulous that we can showcase our residents’ work in Essex Libraries. Libraries bring back evocative memories for people in our homes. Having our exhibition in a public space connects us to the community and the outside world.”
Wellbeing Lead at Tallis House added, “We are really looking forward to using our minibus to visit the exhibition. The residents have worked hard to make some beautiful pictures.”
Sarah Sanders, Business Development Director of Runwood Homes Group, remarked, “This has been a fantastic project that has brought residents, families, and staff together, encouraging them to use their creative skills. Our residents have been really engaged in developing artwork or writing poetry, which has been done to a very high standard. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents. I am looking forward to visiting the exhibition to see it for myself.”
They warmly invite everyone to come and witness the creativity and heart that their residents have poured into their artwork. This exhibition is not merely a display of art but a heartfelt celebration of their residents’ talents and the pure joy of creating together.
