The Official Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Press Release – Awarding Artisan Mind Funding for the Art Reveals Program for Individuals Experiencing Memory Loss

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Sandy Silverstein

(866) 232-8484 Ext. 126

ssilverstein@alzfdn.org

Artisan Mind Awarded Grant from Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to Fund Art Reveals Program for Local Individuals Experiencing Memory Loss

NEW YORK (December 19, 2022)— The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) has awarded grant funding to Artisan Mind, based in Placerville, to help fund their Art Reveals program, which offers unique, multisensory art experiences for individuals experiencing memory loss and their caregivers.

“Engaging with art can provide cognitive stimulation and other benefits to individuals experiencing memory loss, including positive mood, enhanced creativity, and feelings of joy. Artisan Mind’s Art Reveals program allows families in the Sacramento area to experience these benefits in their community. We are pleased to support them in their efforts,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. 

Tiffany Paige Ramirez, Founder and Creative Director of Artisan Mind, said, “

Artisan Mind is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with physical and cognitive challenges through creative and spiritually engaging experiences which unlock imagination in a way that enables participants to stay connected or find connection to a sense of meaning, purpose, and value. Artisan Mind also offers support services to family caregivers.  

The $6,000 AFA grant will help fund their Art Reveals programs, which offers collections of paintings and photo imagery of “still stories,” providing space for participants experiencing memory loss to pause, observe, and allow the images to connect them with personal memories or insights. The program includes art observation blended with guided conversations that support individuals as they connect to their own personal experiences of imagination, self-expression, hope, and joy.

AFA is able to support vital programs, through this grant, as a result of the generosity of individual contributions, sponsorships and fundraising activities. To help support these initiatives or learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and resources available to help families affected by it, visit www.alzfdn.org.

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About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias nationwide and to fund research for better treatment and a cure. Its services include a National Toll-Free Helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, the National Memory Screening Program, educational conferences and materials, and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.  AFA has earned Charity Navigator’s top 4-star rating for seven consecutive years.

Art Reveals funded by theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) for the Second Year in a Row

Dear Friends,

I’m thrilled to share that Artisan Mind received the Bi-Annual Grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for the second year in a row!

The vibrant experiences offered through our Art Reveals program shine a special light for those challenged by the darkness of memory loss. This project adds another valuable component by seeking out those are also challenged by a lack of resources. We want to be that light and I’m inviting you to join me in this matching outreach.

Like last year, the $6000 grant will fund our Art Reveals program in low-income memory care communities.  For 2022, our goal was to double that amount in order to double our outreach to people who cannot afford the prices of traditional memory care programs. Not only did we leverage that grant to receive a second grant from the Arts Council of Placer County, we also received over $7,300 in individual gifts, giving us a total to $14825.00!

We held a total of 34 sessions during our six-month project. We facilitated an average of 6 sessions per month, reaching an average of 42 people per month. We established partnerships with 7 low-income communities serving those with memory loss and saw a hug increase in positive mood, social connection and self-expression.  AND WE WANT TO DO IT AGAIN!

This is an invitation to a one-time donation of $100, $250, $500 or any amount you feel comfortable with to help us reach another $6000 by December 30th, 2022.

We hope you will continue to help us make this valuable impact, and that it gives you joy and fulfillment by being a part of Artisan Mind.

My deepest gratitude for your support,

Tiffany Ramirez

Artisan Mind Founder and Principal

Help Artisan Mind Reach More Adults in the Coming Year This GivingTuesday

Artisan Mind has creatively enhanced the lives of thousands of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For those who are also challenged with limited resources, we have a scholarship fund so that anyone who wants art-inspired life-enrichment can receive our programs at minimal or no cost to the family.

This is made possible by our partners and donors like you and here is a special partner occasion to come together again.

#GIVINGTUESDAY is 11/29/22 This Year!

#GivingTuesday is an opportunity for people around the world to use their individual power of generosity to connect to and support their communities. It’s not just one day – this is a global social movement that’s working every day to fuel more generosity to help transform our world. 

This #GivingTuesday, you can help us share HOPE, MEANING, AND VALUE with even more older adults this coming year.  

Every act of generosity counts and creates an impact that can transform lives. Let’s grow our scholarship fund for 2023!

DONATE

THANK YOU,
Tiffany Ramirez
Artisan Mind Founder
tiffany@artisanmind.org

THE ALZHEIMER’S FOUNDATION OF AMERICA HAS AWARDED ARTISAN MIND THE 2021 FALL BI-ANNUAL GRANT

We have accomplished something new!

Because of all of you who believe in the mission of Artisan Mind, the last year has provided tremendous growth. And just as some flowers drop seeds to make more flowers and multiply their beauty, that is what we are doing right now. Yes, a spring analogy in the midst of autumn!

With the support of our partners, we submitted a grant proposal with real stories and real successes of Artisan Mind clients. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has awarded Artisan Mind with their 2021 Fall Bi-Annual Grant. This program will be funded by a grant by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA)!

Our 2021 Fall Bi-Annual Grant is in the amount of $6000.00!

Contributions continue to an integral part of helping us meet our budget needs and we are currently in the process of raising additional funds to match the grant and double our outreach.

We are just over half way to that matching goal and invite you to join us! Please help if you can. Every contribution matters!

Why this project matters so much….

Because bringing art into the presence of people searching for hope does something special. It creates a forum for self-expression and revelation.

Looking at the photograph below titled “Tree Fire”, Clint said that he thinks “this giant tree is teaching us something that we don’t yet know. That somehow the leaves in the background are showing us something new about ourselves”.  Margaret believed that “the little bit of sky was our hope” because she agreed that life can be twisted and chaotic like the tree limbs.

Tree Fire – photograph by Darren White

With the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) grant, we will take our Art Reveals program to older adults with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment, living in low-income housing, or attending medical supported day facilities.

Another reason this project matters so much…

Because so often, low-income older adults who are able to secure funding for health care support are able to cover only the very basics. The stress of financial insecurity can cause additional emotional and mental distress and leave them without hope or a sense of purpose.

The Monarch of the Glen by Edwin Landseer - Artisan Mind Art Reveals Program
The Monarch of the Glen by Edwin Landseer

Artisan Mind’s “Art Reveals” offers inspiration in the special way that only creativity can. Art observation has the ability to reveal memories, ideas, and opinions that may have otherwise been lost to dementia.

When a person is able to remember where they came from, what they love, and what they are good at, their self-esteem is fed and their emotional quality of life is enhanced.

Art observation through Art Reveals will offer:

• Opportunities to celebrate life through self-expression and memory recollection
• A deeper connection to social interaction and personal meaning
• An increased creative, spiritual, and emotional well-being for the participants

This is really valuable work. THANK YOU for helping make this happen!

Stay tuned for highlights as this AFA granted program initiates in December, a perfect time to give joy and delight through love and through the arts. You can also help us in additional ways.

Share this newsletter.

Spread the word.

Introduce us to a friend.

Pray for us.

Consider Artisan Mind for your year-end giving to help us reach our grant funds matching goal!

This program will be funded by a grant by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA).