Port Macquarie ArtWalk: Bringing Creative Ageing and Dementia-Friendly Art to the Community

In 2016, after attending the Transforming Care for Elders Through Creative Engagement training in Milwaukee, USA, with Professor Anne Basting, I was inspired to bring new creative ideas back to Australia. Motivated by what I learned, I approached the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council with a proposal to include a Creative Ageing Exhibition as part of the popular Port Macquarie ArtWalk.

In 2017, I delivered the first Creative Ageing Exhibition titled “Creativity Has No Age Barriers” during the Port Macquarie ArtWalk. Building on this success, in 2018, I partnered with the Port Macquarie Museum to incorporate two creative ageing exhibitions into the annual ArtWalk event, helping to raise awareness of ageing and creativity in our community.

By 2019, the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council engaged myself and creative Katherine Appleby to contribute to their “Four Seasons in One Dementia Day” grant projects. Together, we developed ArtWalk Animation: Autumn 2019, resulting in the collaborative animation piece ‘Sunday Afternoon’.

What is Port Macquarie ArtWalk?

ArtWalk is an annual event hosted by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council that transforms the CBD with vibrant, large-scale animated video projections displayed on building walls. The event includes live bands, living artists, and interactive art experiences, drawing over 10,000 visitors each year.

Dementia-Friendly Art at ArtWalk 2019

The 2019 ArtWalk featured a dementia-friendly art video projected onto a CBD building. This site-specific video was created through a series of workshops involving people living with dementia, guided by a dementia-friendly artist and a video artist.

In addition to the video projection, ArtWalk 2019 also offered a dementia-friendly guided walking tour on the night, encouraging accessibility and inclusion for all community members.

My Work in Creative Ageing and Community Arts

My involvement with the Port Macquarie ArtWalk has allowed me to champion creative ageing, dementia-friendly arts, and community engagement through the arts. These projects demonstrate how art can foster connection, inclusion, and wellbeing for people of all ages and abilities.