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Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Art Students Create Engaged and Inclusive Art for Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Patients

Led by Associate Professor Collin Bradford, students installed art to promote peace and healing in the memory ward at a nonprofit, skilled nursing facility

Last spring, a request from the director of a nonprofit, skilled nursing facility piqued Professor Collin Bradford’s interest as an incredible learning opportunity for the students in his interdisciplinary projects class. The director had inquired about student work for the memory care wing at the facility, and although the original request was vague—“we have some empty walls we’d like to put some art on”—Bradford saw an opportunity for serious research about neurology and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. When Bradford responded to Tyler Orton, director of Alpine Valley Care Center in Pleasant Grove, he explained the range of work art department students make and shared examples of contemporary artists whose work is displayed in medical facilities. “Our work would center around the patients, but I can’t tell you right now what the students will decide to do,” Bradford told Orton. Orton accepted this open process, and Bradford’s class devoted nearly half of the semester to the project. Finish reading 'Students In Interdisciplinary Projects Course Create Engaged and Inclusive Art for Care Center,' at art.byu.edu.