An international art competition is now underway on Facebook, and you can vote for your favorite pieces to help local artists win the top prize. What’s unique about this competition is that all the artists have dementia or other cognitive difficulties, and their art is part of the creative experiences they enjoy in the Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program.
OMA is an international program headquartered at Scripps Gerontology Center, an Ohio Center of Excellence at Miami University. This year is the first time that OMA has organized this art competition and show that includes the U.S., Canada and Indonesia. In total, 464 submissions were reviewed from which 77 were chosen to be included at facebook.com/openingmindsthroughart where the voting public can cast their votes by simply clicking the “like” button for their favorite artworks.
The top two artists with the most votes will win the People’s Choice Award and a gift. Voting is on now through Dec. 7 culminating with the virtual art show on Dec. 8, 11 a.m. Anyone can register on the OMA Facbook page for the full Zoom art exhibit viewing.
Among these 77 pieces are seven created by five Tacoma area OMA participants at Lutheran Community Services Northwest. When the main OMA office announced the show this year, LCSNW jumped on board led by Laurie Arndt, LCSNW’s Art Facilitator for OMA.
For art lovers, especially fans of abstract art, clicking through the 77 artworks is a fascinating experience. Our local five artists in the collection are:
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Sylvia (Tacoma) – So far, she is in the lead with 306 total votes for her two art pieces. “She loves the art classes, and we offer her husband two hours of respite while she is in the class, so he gets a break. She comes and creates art with me and it’s really fun,” Arndt said.
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Nathan (Edgewood) – Just behind Sylvia, Nathan is at 290 votes at this point. Arndt said he is thrilled to be included, and it came at a perfect time with his birthday having been this week.
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Shelly (Tacoma) – Coming in third so far, Shelly is the only artist who titled her painting, calling it “Love It.” Arndt said Shelly’s dementia is progressing, but she loves the classes. “Her husband is so thrilled that she is one of the artists selected,” Arndt said.
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Martha (Milton) – Now at 90 votes, Martha had a hard time embracing abstract painting at first but that quickly changed. “She and another lady have become best friends, and they sit together doing their art every week,” Arndt said.
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Mike (Gig Harbor) – Mike is coming in with 82 votes at this point. “Mike is such a great artist with a great sense of humor,” Arndt said.
Take a moment to visit facebook.com/openingmindsthroughart and support these deserving artists. You will be helping all of these five hometown artists with a chance to be named as the top OMA artists in the world!
Learn more about LCSNW’s OMA program at lcsnw.org.
