Angie Ahnstedt is meticulously sketching a fence and barn that she will later watercolor. Ahnstedt loves to paint many things. "I like the mountains, and I think red barns are interesting. We always had barns on our places."
Ahnstedt is one of 61 artists from 22 different facilities in Northern Colorado to have a painting chosen for inclusion in the Alzheimer's Association's
Angie Ahnstedt works intently sketching the background for a new watercolor. (Special to Go)
Memories in the Making auction. The auction, Simple Elegance, will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Collins on Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m.
The artists' paintings were selected by a jury of professional artists from more than 2,400 pieces of art that were submitted. The works were created in 2012 in weekly Memories in the Making art programs at the various facilities, which include day programs, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and memory units. All of the participating artists have either Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.
Dementia often robs the mind of memories, but where words may fail them, art often allows individuals with dementia to share a sweet-remembered piece of their past.
Melinda Brown, Northern Colorado Development Officer for the Alzheimer's Association recognizes the joy that can come to families as they see a family member's artwork. "In one instance, a colleague was working with a family of an artist and looking at the artwork that the client had created," said Brown.
"Looking at the piece, the husband of the artist recognized the location as a place that the artist had gone every summer during her youth. They were childhood sweethearts, and he recognized the place. The family
Eleanor Swift's painting I Love Birds was chosen by the jury of artists as this year's signature piece. (Special to Go)
realized that the artist still had those memories, even though she had lost the ability to verbally communicate her feelings."
For Ahnstedt's family, her newfound artistry is a surprise and a delight. "We always knew she had a great sense of color, but we'd never seen her pick up a pencil or talk about doing any of that," said Angie's daughter, Adele. "It's just a joy."
Adele is also grateful for Angie's other pictures that weren't selected for the auction. She is saving them and plans on framing them. At some point, she will ask Angie who she would like to receive them.
GO & DO
Memories in the Making Art Auction
When: 6 p.m. cocktails, silent auction and mini-gallery, 7:15 p.m. live auction Tuesday, May 21.
Where: The Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Road, Fort Collins.
Tickets: $75.
Info: Call 472-9798 or visit alz.org/co/in_my_community_art_auctions.asp.
"When Alzheimer's Association staff calls to let a family know their loved one's watercolor will be featured in the annual art auction, we often hear the call has brought them a moment of light and joy during what is ... a difficult journey," said Chrissy Deal, Alzheimer's Association Memories in the Making program coordinator.
Of the 61 paintings to be auctioned at the Memories in the Making event, 19 will be paired with a work by a local professional artist. The professional artists used the participants' artwork as the inspiration for their own piece. The paired works of art will be auctioned together. Rachael Coffren, Kate Dardine, Kerri Ertman, Pat Saunders-White, Tom Riggs and Merrie Wicks are just a few of the professional artists who are participating. In addition, eight framers from throughout Northern Colorado are donating the frames for the Memories in the Making artists' works.
Through its statewide network of offices, the Alzheimer's Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no cost to families. Ten percent of the proceeds from the Memories in the Making auction will go to national research to help find a cure. The remaining funds will stay within the Colorado Chapter, where they can benefit local individuals affected by Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia and their families.
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