Kansas Art Set to Inspire Residents in Palmerston Residential Home

Artist, Chuck Hoffman from Genesis+Art Studio, Kansas City and Adjunct Professor of Design at the University of Kansas, together with recent graduate design students of  the University of Kansas inspired residents in Palmerston Residential Care  Home, East Belfast, through an ‘outside space project’ last week.

Students were challenged to create a design that would invite curiosity, have a narrative and encourage residents to go into the outdoor space.  As dementia is an issue which affects residents, design proposals had to be given very careful consideration to the impact of the colour palette and the complexity of the narrative.

Welcoming Chuck Hoffman and the students to Palmerston, Geraldine Gilpin, Chief Executive, Abbeyfield & Wesley Housing Association which owns and manages Palmerston Residential Home said:

“Chuck Hoffman has a long standing relationship with Belfast, having visited the city numerous times and worked on various community projects.  This project evolved out of a discussion that started last May (2013) between Sally Campton, Abbeyfield & Wesley’s Volunteer and Activities Coordinator, and Chuck Hoffman, who was in Belfast completing another mural project in East Belfast.  We were talking about dementia and how factors such as music, art or nature in the immediate environment, can dramatically impact on mood and trigger different memories or emotions. 

“The suggestion was made for a mural that was appropriate for people living with dementia. Students were given an outline briefing and Chuck Hoffman then tasked his students to create a design that was ‘fit-for-purpose’. Six options were shortlisted and of these one was finally selected as the preferred design. Marsha Tuffin, Abbeyfield’s Head of Dementia Innovation, advised around factors that needed to be taken into consideration for the design.”

Geraldine adds:  “Chuck Hoffman and his students have now arrived in Northern Ireland to begin the process of painting a work of art that will bring colour into the lives of residents.  We are very grateful to everyone that has supported this project including East Belfast Partnership and the Skainos Centre, who are providing accommodation for the group.”

Commenting Chuck Hoffman, Genesis+Art Studio and Adjunct Professor at University of Kansas said: 

“Palmerston Residential Home was keen to develop a piece of art which would provide a gateway for patients who may be suffering from dementia to interact with their environment in a different way.  It is well documented that art and colour can have a dramatic impact on an individual’s mood – the different emotional reaction that they prompt. Art and creativity still reach a person even when cognitive skills have diminished.  The task was the perfect challenge for my students.  To research dementia, to consider findings around how the brain still processes stimuli and then to create a piece of art which had reference points, that the majority of residents could relate too.

“It has been a very interesting and informative project and I look forward to getting the artwork completed and gauging the response from residents.”