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 Teesside elderly create colourful tiles for Global Roots Art Project

Teesside elderly create colourful tiles for Global Roots Art Project

By 2nd October, 2024 Press Releases No Comments

ARTY ELDERLY from care homes across Teesside have been painting tiles for an international, multi-cultural art project.

A whale, frog, flamingos, and flowers are among the subjects painted onto tiles by elderly residents in Middlesbrough, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, and Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

The colourful contributions have been sent to the Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots Project and will be added to the 2024 UK Connects National Mural Mosaic.

The project was launched by artist Lewis Lavoie in 1997 and has since produced hundreds of collaborative murals, involving thousands of participants from all over the world.

Residents from Hill Care Group care homes in the North East of England, including Hazelgrove Court Care Home, The Gables Care Home, Eston Lodge Care Home, and Mandale House Care Home, are participating in the latest UK production.

The final design of a multi-coloured tree with the union jack etched into the trunk will be installed at a yet-to-be-decided UK location and unveiled in summer 2025.

Care homes across the UK were encouraged to participate as part of the annual National Day of Arts in Care Homes, an initiative from the National Activities Providers Association (NAPA), the UK’s leading activity and engagement charity for support care services.

Mike Reay, 80, from Eston Lodge Care Home, painted a blue whale on his tile. He said: “You don’t realise what you are capable of until you are given the opportunity.”

Marilyn Stephenson, 71, from Mandale House Care Home, enjoys painting as a hobby and chose a frog for her tile. She said: “It is wonderful to get the opportunity to paint for such a great legacy.”

Constance Clapp, 91, from The Gables Care Home, painted a clover. She said: “I am not a good artist. I cannot believe my tile will be added to this mural.”

Joyce Tibbett, 89, from Hazelgrove Court Care Home, painted a flower. She said: “Wow. This mural is going to be amazing.”

Fellow Hazelgrove Court resident, Joyce Wooffindin, 83, who painted a pair of flamingos, added: “To take part in this project was amazing.”

Activities coordinators Sharon Lewis and Samantha McCormick, based at Hazelgrove Court and The Gables, respectively, supported residents with their paintings.

Sharon, who registered the Hill Care Group for the project and ordered the tiles, said: “The residents had to paint them in the colours provided. We got two light blue pallets, two green, and one dusty pink.

“The residents absolutely loved taking part, planning out their tiles and then painting their designs. They did an absolutely wonderful job, and we can’t wait to see them added to the mural, which we’re tracking through the UK Connects Mural Live Grid.

“The theme for this year’s National Day of Arts in Care Homes was home. Samantha and I both agreed that when residents come to live in a care home it soon becomes home to them. It is wonderful they can participate in fantastic projects like this.”

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