BELONG WHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF

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BELONG WHERE YOU FIND YOURSELF 〰️

Belong Where You Find Yourself

A community-engaged art project supporting artists with Dementia and their care partners

 

Belong Where You Find Yourself (BWYFY) was a multi-year community art project that brought together people living with dementia and their care partners to foster a sense of belonging and reduce stigma. The project culminated in an exhibition at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, featuring artwork by each artist, an exhibition essay, and a documentary. A total of 38 sessions were held in homes, care facilities, and the gallery.

The project was unique in its collaborative approach, involving both the person living with dementia and their care partner. We focused on individualized creative practices rather than using a one-size-fits-all model. The goal was to support each artist in exploring their own creative projects, building on their personal skills and experiences. BWYFY was led by: Alana Moore and Amber Phelps Bondaroff

Artists & Stories

Each participating artist brought unique stories, skills, and creative practices to the table. Some returned to projects they’d started years ago; others explored new mediums for the first time. We met in living rooms, kitchens, workshops, and gallery spaces — drawing, singing, sewing, and remembering together.

Participating artists included:

  • Elaine Berrard & Herb Elder

  • Leon & Bonnie Jones

  • Merle & Dean Wiley

  • Ron & Pat Walton

  • Verna Off & Amanda Babey

  • Jeanette Haberstock & Twila Napoleoni



Partners & Support

  • In partnership with Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, Yorkton, SK

  • Supported by the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan (DSRS) initiative

  • Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program

We drew, sang songs, shared skills, and got to know each other. Often we laughed, and sometimes we cried — all while we created together.

Project Overview
Lead Artists:

  • Supported 12 participating artists, including six people living with dementia and their care partners, throughout a three-year project

  • Facilitated over 258 hours of artistic engagement through 38 individual and group sessions

  • Created personalized art projects rooted in participants’ interests and practices

  • Supported participating artists to showcase a group exhibition at the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery

  • Oversaw the production of a 50-minute documentary film about the project (Filmed by “Sunny” Adams).

  • Developed and distributed an interactive art game for people living with dementia: Abstract Dominos

  • Conducted research and writing for a learning module for post-secondary students in Social Work and related fields about Socially Engaged Art and Dementia.

  • Presented the project at community events, conferences, and screenings

 

A Collaborative Framework

The title “Belong Where You Find Yourself” was coined by Jeff Morton, former Director of the Godfrey Dean Art Gallery. The project was part of the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan (DSRS) initiative — a five-year research project led by SPHERU (Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit), aimed at increasing social inclusion for people living with dementia.

We recognize that BWYFY’s success was made possible by strong institutional support and a rare opportunity for sustained community-engaged work. At the project’s conclusion, Dr. Bonnie Jeffery invited us to develop a learning module based on our experience — an offering that now supports students in Social Work and related disciplines across Saskatchewan.

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