Merton Council and Eltandia Hall care home celebrated the success of their new art programme with an exhibition last week.

Residents of Eltandia Hall care home at their exhibition

Held at Eltandia Hall, the exhibition displayed artwork, which had an autumnal theme, that has been created by their residents as part of a new arts development programme at the centre. Over the past ten weeks, residents with learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s and dementia have been participating in artistic workshops from artist Rose Pomeroy as part of the new programme set up by Merton Council’s arts development team.

Residents took part in art workshops with professional artist, Rose Pomeroy

Having a go at watercolour painting and printing helps residents to relax and express themselves through art and to provide an opportunity for the home’s activity co-ordinators to learn new art skills so they can run their own workshops for residents in the future.

Merton Council’s cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper, said: ‘I was very moved by the art exhibition and was really impressed at the art created by the residents of Eltandia Hall Care Home. This programme has opened up wonderful new opportunities to those who are taking part. Well done to the arts development team for setting this up as well as Rose, the artist and the staff at Eltandia. Most of all, I want to commend all of the residents who took part in the art programme and I look forward to seeing what they will create in the future.’