Willow Gardens care home residents’ artwork on online art gallery

Artwork created by residents from Willow Gardens care home in Yateley are showcasing online as part of National Day of Arts in Care Homes today.

Three older people from Anchor’s Willow Gardens in Hammond Way were thrilled to be told their artwork had been selected for the online gallery which is focusing on how arts has been used to keep care settings connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The paintings of dogs, inspired by the home’s dog Sunny, were created by Rosemary Hunt, Douglas Oliver and Anne Dyason. Their artwork was chosen to be featured on Anchor’s and the Arts in Care Homes Day websites.

Rosemary, 85, who has lived at Willow Gardens for six months, said she was thrilled her artwork had been selected especially as she had never had any of her work displayed publicly before.

She said: “I enjoy all the activities at the home and haven’t really painted before moving in here. It’s very satisfying to see the finished piece of art after all your hard work.”

Residents and staff from the home took part in the national celebration day by organising a variety of activities, including painting bird boxes they had built last week, taking photos of wildlife and plants in the home’s garden, and doing other paintings and drawings.

They joined more than 30 of Anchor’s care homes across England for an art-themed quiz on Zoom so that residents in the homes could compete against each other.

There was also a live Indian dancing demonstration broadcast to the care homes online as part of the day. Residents were encouraged to take part in the chair-based dance exercises run by Bisakha Sarker, Chaturangan’s artistic director, who was awarded an MBE in 2014 for services to Indian dance. 

Diane Armstrong, Anchor’s Wellness Advisor, said: “We are so happy to take part in the National Day of Arts in Care Homes as it builds on the many creative activities we already organise in our 114 care homes across England. 

“Art is a wonderful way for residents to express their feelings, show off their artistic flare and for others to appreciate the talents of the older people living in our care homes.”

The online gallery of older people’s artwork can be view here

For more information on Willow Gardens, contact 0800 731 2020.