There is nothing quite like hands-on learning.
Just ask a group of students from Ursuline College Chatham. They recently learned about dementia from guest speaker Amy Vickery, according to UCC visual arts teacher Nicole McEachran.
“She provided valuable insight into what (Riverview Gardens) residents may experience, what to expect when working in a dementia care environment, and how thoughtful design choices can positively impact mood, memory, and overall well-being,” McEachran said in an email to The Voice. “This learning helped guide students as they developed imagery that would be calming, familiar, and comforting.”
Over the course of several days, students collaborated to design and paint custom murals created specifically for the residents.
“With this new understanding, they carefully planned their concepts before transferring their designs onto the walls. Students worked diligently to bring the murals to life with vibrant colour and detail, always keeping the needs of the residents in mind,” McEachran said.
Throughout the project, students demonstrated creativity, teamwork, professionalism, and compassion. The experience allowed them to apply their artistic skills in a meaningful, real-world setting while giving back to the community.
“We are incredibly proud of the empathy, maturity, and dedication our students showed during this project. It was a powerful reminder of how art can transform spaces and make a lasting impact on others,” the teacher said.
