ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 In the heart of Orlando, folks are gathering some Saturdays at a program that reinvents the meaning\u00a0\u2014 and power\u00a0\u2014 of art.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Art\u2019s the Spark is an hour-and-a-half interactive experience catered toward our Central Florida neighbors with dementia or other memory impairments.<\/p>\n
2. Jan Clanton is the studio instructor. She started this program here years ago, but\u00a0\u2014 amidst her retirement\u00a0\u2014 she is more acrive and present than ever. \u00a0The exposure and art instruction is meant to prompt memories that have been tucked away for people struggling with memory loss.\u00a0 \u201cMemories for some of our audience will be 40 years ago,\u201d she said. \u201cLong term memory is still possible for people with Alzheimer\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
3. Instruction is kept age-appropriate. Visitors can observe, chat, and react, without any fear, as anything said in this space is never wrong. \u201cThis is so healthy and so good for them,” Clanton said.<\/p>\n
4. Art\u2019s the Spark is a concept that originated in New York. Clanton\u00a0and art educator Pam Levin adapted it for our Central Florida community.<\/p>\n