ORLANDO, Fla. — In the heart of Orlando, folks are gathering some Saturdays at a program that reinvents the meaning — and power — of art.
1. Art’s the Spark is an hour-and-a-half interactive experience catered toward our Central Florida neighbors with dementia or other memory impairments.
2. Jan Clanton is the studio instructor. She started this program here years ago, but — amidst her retirement — she is more acrive and present than ever. The exposure and art instruction is meant to prompt memories that have been tucked away for people struggling with memory loss. “Memories for some of our audience will be 40 years ago,” she said. “Long term memory is still possible for people with Alzheimer’s.”
3. Instruction is kept age-appropriate. Visitors can observe, chat, and react, without any fear, as anything said in this space is never wrong. “This is so healthy and so good for them,” Clanton said.
4. Art’s the Spark is a concept that originated in New York. Clanton and art educator Pam Levin adapted it for our Central Florida community.
5. The Saturday morning experiences are as much for those with memory impairment as it is for their caregivers, providing art enrichment and levity. Art’s the Spark takes place at the Orlando Museum of Art on select Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The next ones are April 4 and May 2, 2026.