Bennachie Woodland Wander – The project is part of a Aberdeenshire wide arts and dementia initiative called – Create:Connect – making connections for dementia through creativity.
My idea for this project was to get people out and about and enjoying the surroundings. I wanted each workshop to be a little outdoor adventure. I introduced new techniques and materials each workshop to keep it fun and interesting. There is an emphasis on a social, friendly and relaxing atmosphere rather than any pressure to create finished artwork.
Sadly we have come to the end of this wonderful project. The art trail looks amazing, everyone has enjoyed a good laugh and surprized themselves with their own creativity. A success.
As a last woodland wander I decided we should make something we can take home to remind us of our adventures. A little piece of Bennachie to take home. We used plaster to create leaves that will last forever. They look lovely painted or just left natural with a few little bits of the leaf stuck in it.
The images that have been produced during this project have been great, so much better than I had imagined. I wanted the participants to know this and be proud of their work. I got some postcards of the images printed to showcase the work. Everyone got a set to take home so they could show off their work.
I think they liked them because look flowers!
I’d like to thank everyone at the Bennachie Visitor centre who have been so supportive and enthusiastic throughout this project. Go see them and enjoy this wonderful place.
Some comments from the participants about the Bennachie Woodland Wander – arts and dementia project as a whole –
“We have had a super time at our get together art adventures. It has been so much fun, everybody joined in and it has been a real social occasion and we were all chuffed with our “art” work.”
“We have had such a wonderful time, enjoyed it so much. Meeting new people and having a really good time and a laugh. We learned some new ideas and arts.”
sarahwakeford.art 
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