Art4Alz

Fun was had, art created, information imparted and connections established to aid those caring for loved ones afflicted with dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease at the Art4Alz Fluid Art Paint Pouring Workshop.

Held recently at Mackle Park, it was one of a series of such sessions being held to benefit The Alzheimer's Association and its annual The Longest Day event, set for June 21, this year’s summer solstice. The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting Alzheimer's disease research and providing education and support to those who face dementia daily. 

The Longest Day sees participants, worldwide, join in raising money to fight the progressive, neurologic disorder through an activity of their choice. Tammy DeCaro, Executive Director of the Barrington Terrace of Naples Assisted Living and Memory Care Residence invented the Art4Alz workshops for this year’s Longest Day observation. 

This was the second Longest Day workshop DeCaro, an acrylic fluid artist and the owner of Tammy DeCaro Art in Naples, held at Mackle over the last six weeks. The 12 attendees were twice as many as attended the initial session, held in late March. 

“It was fantastic,” she said. “We had a lot of people who are either artistic or artists in other mediums attend, which was really neat to see. We had the opportunity to talk to a few folks who attended about their own families who are struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s. That’s really why we created the program - to raise awareness about the Alzheimer’s Association and the resources that are available and to connect folks that are living at home with someone with Alzheimer’s with a support-group system.” 

At the workshops, DeCaro teaches participants how to create masterpieces by “paint pouring,” also known as “fluid art,” they can take home. Over the course of two hours, they paint two canvases, one utilizing The Longest Day color combination of purple and teal, and then choose their own colors for the second canvas. Supplies are provided and tickets are $55 per person, with $50 of the fee going to The Longest Day fundraiser.

The next class is set for 5:30 PM on April 20th at the Tuscany Villa of Naples Senior Living Community, located off U.S. 41, about 12 miles from Marco Island.

DeCaro said fluid art has more than 50 different techniques and that she employs a different one at each workshop, so some people declared their intent to take additional classes.

The workshops are being held throughout Southwest Florida. Five more are scheduled in Collier County and arrangements are being made to hold two in the Fort Myers area. DeCaro is also interested in adding more if locations can be secured. 

“The season for the Longest Day fundraising doesn’t end on June 21,” she explained. “That’s the day of the solstice and the big celebration, but it ends August 1, so if we need to have additional classes through the summer, we can do that.”  

To learn more about Art4Alz and to register for upcoming sessions, visit eventbrite.com/cc/art4alz-fluid-art-paint-pouring-workshops-naples-177369. If interested in hosting a session, contact Tammy DeCaro at 239-775-5050 or tammy.decaro@arborcompany.com.