Benetas is proud to foster and celebrate artistic expression right across its retirement living communities and residential aged care homes.
Bridgewater Lake Retirement Estate is one of the aged care provider’s most artistic sites, cultivating a reputation across Melbourne’s north as a creative hub, with education opportunities and exhibitions of high-quality art.
Central to this is the Bridgewater Lake Art Show, which for more than a decade has drawn crowds of people to the Roxburgh Park retirement community.
The most recent showcase featured more than 200 pieces by 40 local artists, transforming the retirement village’s community centre into an upscale art gallery for a weekend.
The exhibitions include works by Bridgewater Lake residents and members of the Glenroy Art Group, Craigieburn Art Group, Plenty Valley Arts and Sunbury Art Society.
The retirement village also regularly hosts noted local artists to present and teach residents keen to expand their artistic skill sets.
In July, the village hosted watercolour artist Ted Dansey who took residents and other local creative minds through his philosophy and the insights he’s gained throughout his career.
The 2007 Victorian Artist Society’s Artist of the Year winner has been practising art for most of his life, plying his talent across a wide range of fields while also taking home a list of sought-after artistic awards.
He studied watercolours with internationally renowned painter David Taylor in the early nineties with the medium continuing to be his favourite, though he does admit to dragging out the oils on occasions.
On top of his Victorian Artists Society year prize, Mr Dansey has won first prize for watercolour in the Moonee Valley Art Show and Hobsons Bay Art Show, as well as Best in Show at St Peter’s Art Show.
Creativity and artistic expression are also common across Benetas aged care homes. A recent example includes additions to the Corowa Court residential aged care home in Mornington.
Six months ago, three of the home’s communal areas were transformed via the installation of glass atriums exhibiting colourful pieces, welcoming residents and family members for chats, activities or some quiet time.
One of those spaces was the Mornington home’s art room, which now evokes a French impressionist theme, thanks to the installation of works by 19th and 20th century artist Claude Monet.
At Bendigo’s Kangaroo Flat residential aged care home, residents are now being treated to a large rectangular-shaped photographic mural in the dining hall. The image depicts the famed Queen Victoria statue and surrounding landmark buildings in the middle of Bendigo.
Benetas General Manager Strategy, Infrastructure and Housing Bruce Webb said each site featured a range of artistic activities, not simply because they were enjoyable but because they helped engage and bond residents.
“We know how important creative outlets are to people, especially as they get older looking for new ways to express themselves,” Mr Webb said. “Benetas is extremely proud of the artistic community we’ve created, from a weekly activity to an exhibition that draws people from the broader community each year.”
Benetas