client

Melbourne Citymission
- Eltham Retirement Centre

project summary

Multi-tiered art & writing program with various social outcomes, exhibitions and a full colour-publication.

Team

Catherine Dinkelmann
Jennifer Bartholomew (visual artist)
Peter Anderson (writer & editor)

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This project provided an innovative approach for engaging key aged care stakeholders and older persons to redefine the concept of ageing in residential care. A full-colour publication was produced to serve as a conversation starter in other aged care facilities but is also used to advocate for a more creative approach to ageing. For a copy of the publication, feel free to get in touch.  

Through a collaborative approach with the Eltham Retirement Centre community, including residents from the Independent Living Units, Low Care and High Care Units, volunteers, staff, and family members, and textile artist Jennifer Bartholomew created contemporary textile-based artworks. 

A series of focused writing workshops were also offered by writer, Peter Anderson. Some of the written pieces and excerpts from conversations were featured in the publication.

The project was developed and coordinated by Catherine Dinkelmann while working with Nillumbik Shire Council. The project was supported by the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria and the Community Support Fund, and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation.

1.

In the weekly workshops memories, knowledge and skills around textiles, clothing and related materials of domestic and working life were explored. A range of techniques were used and revisited and residents developed a pride and confidence in their new and re-discovered creative skills.

2.

An exhibition of the work created in the Texture of Memories project was exhibited onsite at the Eltham Retirement Centre, followed by a public exhibition at the Eltham Library Community Gallery and at the Victorian Seniors Festival.

3.

Some of the written pieces and excerpts from conversations were featured in a full-colour publication as a result of a series of focused writing workshops offered by writer, Peter Anderson. Through these workshops residents had conversations and realised they had much more in common with each other than they had previously realised. By including residents from all areas of the facility, a greater sense of community was achieved.