Art Appreciation

  • 30
  • 60
Time
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Benefits
  • Bring Joy
  • Find Calm
  • Keep Learning

Participants
  • One to One or Group Activity

What you need

  1. Various large posters of thought-provoking, famous and popular art, along with some additional details, like the name of the artist and painting, when it was painted, what it’s of etc - Download resource

Intro

You don’t have to be artistic to appreciate art. Brain scans have even revealed that looking at art can elicit as much joy as being head-over-heels in love! It’s also great for people living with dementia, as familiar paintings can trigger memories.

This activity is not only enjoyable; it might also ignite some inspiration to get creative!

Top tip

Focus on a selection of art from one artist and make comparisons.

The Activity

  1. Invite the person/group to sit at a table in a quiet space or room, with no distractions
  2. Lay out the first piece of art
  3. Allow time for each person to look at the image and soak up the details
  4. Keep it in the middle of the table and ask everyone in turn what their first thoughts are, and whether they like it or not
  5. Ask questions such as:
    How does the image make you feel?
    What does it remind you of?
    What do you think the story is behind the painting?
    How would you describe this image to someone who has never seen it?
    What title would you give this image?
    What do you think is beautiful about it?
    What would you change about the image?
  6. Once you’ve finished discussing the image, move onto another one and draw comparisons. Talk about which you liked better and why

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