In this edition of Kupuna Wisdom (brought to you by Aracadia), HI Now teamed up with AARP Hawaii and the ARTS at Mark’s Garage.
They invited artists of all mediums to submit art works to be displayed in the “Art of Caring” exhibition in November, National Caregivers Month.
Cash prizes totaling $3,000 will be awarded to winners selected by judges in three categories – Care of Kupuna, Joy of Caregiving and Challenges of Caregiving.
The exhibition runs from Nov. 5 through Nov. 27 at the ARTS at Mark’s Garage gallery in Downtown Honolulu.
Jackie Boland, AARP Hawai`i outreach director said, “This is our first time sponsoring an art contest/exhibition like this and we look forward to seeing what will be created.
“People have put their heart into the art and especially in this particular show, the art of caring, it’s all about people who cared enough to care for somebody else. It’s going to be beautiful art and we are really, really happy to show you what people have submitted as the art of caring,” said MaryAnne Long, an ARTS at Marks Garage volunteer, former caregiver and artist who teaches an art class at the Hauula Community Center.
One of the artists in her class is also a former caregiver who attended class with her late husband Isamu Takeguchi, who suffered from dementia.
“This (artwork) just represents my husband and that his mind was still working that it was still moving. It wasn’t at the end yet and I really appreciated that part of it,” said Barbara Takeguchi, who said she believes creating art helped keep her husband’s mind active.
Another artist in the class, Charlie Dudoit, gets help from caregivers and gives away his art as a way to thank them. He also teaches children in the neighborhood how to paint.
“Art gave me the thing to really focus in on my soul Once I was happy with myself. I was happy with everybody else,” Dudoit said