Caregiver Support Through Art

Creative Inlet, supporting family caregivers through art is back in person!

Since 2014, we have partnered with the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center and other local businesses to provide an art support group for family caregivers (and their care recipients if

Creative Inlet combined the therapeutic nature of art with the benefit of meeting together with other caregivers. It’s been rewarding to see the beautiful works of art that come out of the group, but more priceless have been the comments from participants about how incredibly relaxed they feel at the end of each meeting.

We had to take a break during COVID, but we returned last month for an in-person meeting and had a great time paint pouring

So, WHO is the group for?

1. You must be a family caregiver.
   This means you care for a parent, spouse, child or other family member who requires additional care due to physical, mental health, or memory challenges.
2. You could use a little relaxation and/or stress relief. (Who couldn’t?)
3. You are able to get away once a month for a few hours, or your care receiver is able to come with you and participate in our art project.
4. You do NOT have to be an artist!

WHAT does a Creative Inlet meeting look like?

Our meetings are pretty informal. Participants are welcome to help themselves to some light snacks and visit when they first arrive. Our guest artist will always have a project planned that can generally be completed in the time allowed. Participants are welcome to create the project planned by the guest artist, or they can choose from our canvases and art supplies to work on a project of their own. Some participants have also brought projects from home to work on during the group time. We really spend most of the time working on our project, learning from the guest artist, and enjoying conversation with each other. Our artist plans projects that anyone can do…and talk and snack at the same time.

WHEN?

We meet from 1 PM to 2:30 PM the second Tuesday of every month (unless it falls on a National holiday). Our next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 8th.

WHERE?

We meet at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, Craftroom #3. The Senior Resource Center is located at 2222 S. College Road in Wilmington (the corner of Shipyard and College.)

AND WHY?

We want to provide a monthly morning of respite, refreshment and relaxation for those who provide care for others. We also want to provide an avenue for caregivers to connect with each other. Many of our participants care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and they appreciate the opportunity to do something fun and relaxing with others who understand.

For additional questions or to RSVP, you can contact Dorothy Griffin at Griswold Home Care or Becky Hayes at rhayes@nhcgov.com or 910-798-6435.