Pictured: Fred and Bruce with their cards. Photo courtesy of Town Square Sarasota.

In recognition of World Alzheimer’s Month this September and in support of the Alzheimer’s Association, Sarasota seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are creating art to be featured on fundraising greeting cards. Artwork created by Bruce White, a professional sculptor and retired art professor, and other members of adult day center Town Square Sarasota are featured on the front of the cards. Town Square Sarasota is selling the cards to members, their families and the general public, and donating the proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Florida Gulf Coast chapter. Over 10 talented Town Square Sarasota members have created art featured on the fundraising greeting cards. One is sculptor Bruce White, a retired professor of art from Northern Illinois University, who has produced many large-scale public works that are installed throughout the U.S. and abroad. In Sarasota, these include "Four Winds," at New College; "Meander," behind the Federal Building; and "Samurai," near Sarasota City Hall. Town Square Sarasota’s members, most of which have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, use various media and materials to create the artwork featured on the cards – from watercolors, colored pencils and acrylic to felt, string, cotton and more. The 1950s-themed adult day center provides members with meaningful care, engagement and socialization, including frequent art classes. Over the past few months, Town Square Sarasota and its members have created and sold greeting cards that have resulted in donations of over $1,115 to the Alzheimer’s Association. Leaders are also in talks with a few local boutiques about selling the fundraising greeting cards at their locations. From their font desk, Town Square Sarasota sells a single greeting card for $5 and a set of five cards for $20. The location is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All money collected will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association’s Florida Gulf Coast chapter. September is World Alzheimer's Month, the international campaign from Alzheimer's Disease International. People unite from all corners of the world to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma that persists around Alzheimer’s disease and all types of dementia. 

Pictured: Fred and Bruce with their cards. Photo courtesy of Town Square Sarasota.