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The first Painting with Parkinsons class was held in the ANBG on 4 November 1994, and has continued. Nancy says that one of the driving forces behind the program is the knowledge that creative ability is not affected by Parkinson’s and may even be enhanced by it. Nancy is happy to sign copies of her book Magic Happens-The Story of Painting with Parkinsons, which is for sale in the Botanical Bookshop.
Abstract
The first Painting with Parkinsons class was held in the Banks Building at the Botanic Gardens on 4 November 1994. By now the organisation had been running the group in the same place for 27 years.
Unquestionably one of the reasons for the success of the program has been the welcoming Garden staff and the wonderful Garden environment.
From small beginnings Painting with Parkinsons has developed an international reputation for excellence, with enquiries coming from all over the world through our website www.paintingwithparkinsons.org.au. A team of facilitators and voluntary helpers have, over the years, enriched the lives of people with Parkinson’s with a program which looks at the challenges raised by the condition and addresses them with a tailor-made approach to relieve stress and encourage self-expression. Aware that Parkinson’s diminishes the ability to initiate movement, speak or write, we focus on the concept that each painting is a form of signature. Through the program participants regain their sense of self.
Painting is a ‘can do’ activity for people who had had their life skills diminished by Parkinson’s. One of the driving forces behind the program is the knowledge that creative ability is not affected by Parkinson’s and may even be enhanced by it.
The talk will be based on the recent publication Magic Happens -The Story of Painting with Parkinsons by Nancy Tingey
Biography
Nancy Tingey, is the founder of Founder, Painting with Parkinsons.
In 1987 Nancy’s husband Robert, then aged 46, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. He and Nancy immediately became involved in Parkinson’s support which led to Nancy founding Painting with Parkinsons, combining her career as a practising visual artist, curator and educator with her role as a primary carer.
In 1996 she travelled through the UK, Europe and North America on a Churchill Fellowship studying art as a therapy for Parkinsons, then formed the specialist program which continues to this day. She has participated in 10 International Parkinsons conferences, publishing her findings in the USA, UK and Australia. From 1999 to 2003 she ran a pilot trial and workshops for Parkinsons UK, culminating in the ‘Catalyst’ exhibition held in London combining art work by Painting with Parkinsons Australia and Art for Parkinsons UK. The book she published in 2018 is titled Magic Happens – The Story of Painting with Parkinsons.
Nancy has an Honours degree in Fine Art and a Masters with Distinction. She has held more than 30 solo exhibitions of her own art work, worked in 6 art museums and taught in 6 art schools in Australia and the UK.
Recent awards for her Parkinsons work:
WPC (World Parkinson Coalition), Robin Elliott Award for Service to the Community 2019;
OAM, Order of Australia Medal for service to community health 2019
ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Award for Long Service 2014
The Tingey Painting with Parkinsons program name was patented a couple of years ago as a website appeared in the US www.paintingwithparkinsons.com following very different principles from www.paintingwithparkinsons.org.au. The Tingey reference honours Bob’s 19-year participation in our group.
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November in the Gardens’ Theatrette. Talks last for 1 hour. Admission is by gold coins donation. The Friends use the ‘gold’ coins donations received at each activity to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. Please note: unless otherwise indicated, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette.
The talks are in line with COVID-19 guidelines which can change rapidly.
Bookings are essential. Bookings can be made from the Friday before the talk until Wednesday night before the talk. Booking Link: https://www.trybooking.com/BYPOZ
The Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG library. A donation to the Friends for the use of this material will be gratefully accepted. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au