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Art stimulates the brain and can help bring back memories and reignite speech which is why it is so helpful for people with Alzheimer’s. Patients can use it as a form of expression when their other senses are failing them.

 While art therapy won’t eliminate the disease it can help improve cognitive function and allow the patient to express themselves, in turn helping relieve symptoms like aggression. According to the Alzheimer’s Association “art projects can create a sense of accomplishment and purpose.”

 When planning an art project for someone with Alzheimer’s keep it on an adult level, use non-toxic materials and allow plenty of time for the completion of the art. Any time dedicated to creating art should be in a relaxing and peaceful environment.

Alzheimer’s patients often get very frustrated because they can no longer communicate with the world around them in the same way they used to be able to. Creating art is a way for them to communicate and create something. This gives them a purpose and a sense of accomplishment.

The 2009 documentary I Remember Better When I Paint showcases an example of how art therapy helps improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s. The way the disease works, short-term memory and speech are affected much earlier in the diseases progression. Creativity and emotion remain much further into the progression of the disease. This allows for this kind of expression through art therapy for patients in later stages of the disease. 

There are numerous first-hand experiences boasting the success of art therapy for dementia patients but research is lacking evidence. The trials that have happened have been small trials that lack focus. Funding for trials would come from the government where they are focused on biological, preventative measures. However, the first-hand accounts of the success of art therapy in bettering a patient’s life gives hope.

Art From the Streets rely on generous donations of people like YOU! 

Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. 

Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio 

for the homeless and at risk. THANK YOU!

 

Travis County is set to be the first city in Texas to utilize an initiative that's designed to provide services to and house up to 250 homeless people. The initiative would require outside investors to pay certain costs upfront, and if all goals are met, to then be reimbursed by the local government.

“Pay For Success,” as the initiative is currently known, has, as of late, become extremely popular throughout the United States. The first initiative of its kind was originally launched in the United Kingdom back in 2010.

Investors would, according to the details of the initiative, cover the costs of projects that address various social issues. If the initiative is successful, the investors are then repaid by the local government, which could include a substantial return on their investment.

When launched in Travis County, the initiative would house up to 250 homeless people, as previously stated. This would likely be done through subsidized rental housing partnered with case management and similar services. The main targets would be those who frequently use health care, emergency medical resources, have been arrested frequently, and shelter.

Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, also known as ECHO, is currently spearheading the project, which is expected to cost around $15 million; however, ECHO would actually need to secure approximately $17 million in pledges form the government in order to cover all investor returns.

So far, around $1.3 million has been donated to help get the project off the ground. Assurances from three local governmental entities have also been received, which stated that they will cover the majority of the reimbursement funding.

All of the specific benchmarks are currently scheduled to be determined during a final meeting between organizers and local governments.

Art From the Streets rely on generous donations of people like YOU! 

Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. 

Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio 

for the homeless and at risk. THANK YOU!

 

When it comes to the topic of art, there appear to be a great many misconceptions floating around about it. For instance, a lot of people believe that in order to call yourself a “real” artist, you have to first do something such as sculpt or paint, while other people believe that someone can simply be born with artistic talent. On the other hand, there are those who are afraid that if they aren't good at something, there's really no point in attempting it. Therefore, they won't obtain any of the useful benefits.

However, we are all born with the sheer desire to show expression in whatever ways we can think of. In terms of art, a wide variety of activities can be utilized – more than you possibly could have ever imagined.

Here are some of the most useful mental benefits regarding art that can greatly help you.

Stress Relief

When you take part in an activity such as the aforementioned sculpting or painting, your stress level will decrease so much that you begin to feel mentally clear, as well as calm. This is possible because art provides you with a good enough distraction to allow your brain to take a break from all of your usual thoughts that you have. On average, a person has approximately 60,000 thoughts each and every single day, with 95% of them being about the exact same things. Taking on an art project will help to not only focus your mind, but also push all of your worries aside.

Self-Esteem and a Sense of Accomplishment

Just like hanging up a piece of artwork from a child can help to boost their self-esteem and also provide them with a sense of accomplishment, doing the exact same thing with your own artwork can also give you the same benefits. To be exact, this can help increase the levels of dopamine in your body, which will help to also provide you with more motivation. Additionally, you will have a much easier time planning ahead and resisting outside impulses, which will enable you to better achieve all of your goals.

Creative Thinking

As opposed to math, when it comes to art, there is absolutely no answer that can be incorrect in any way, shape, or form. Because of this, art is wonderful at helping to encourage creative thinking and allowing you to come up with your own solutions that can be distinctly unique. Additionally, taking on an art project and using your brain at the same time will help stimulate your brain enough to where new neutrons will end up growing.

Art From the Streets rely on generous donations of people like YOU! 

Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. 

Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio 

for the homeless and at risk. THANK YOU!

 

Thanks to 3D printing capabilities, the dream of creating a home built in less than 24 hours and being hit with a price tag of only $10,000 could become a reality thanks to two different companies.

ICON and New Story have officially teamed up in order to help provide the city of Austin with what are thought to be the first 3D printed homes that are both up to code and able to house actual people. ICON is an Austin-based robotics company, while New Story is a nonprofit company designed to offer housing in various developing countries.

The Vulcan printer from ICON recently constructed an 800-square-foot home. While it cost approximately $10,000 to create the home, ICON hopes to bring the price down to around $4,000. It was also constructed in under 24 hours; however, the company is seeking to decrease the total time to about six hours.

Currently, the goal is to expand to other countries and construct homes in developing countries such as El Salvador and Haiti. Additionally both ICON and New Story hope to enhance the printer itself before moving it into the field in El Salvador to eventually begin test printing. The time frame for this is approximately 18 months.

New Story also works in locations such as El Salvador, Bolivia, Mexico, and Haiti to help provide shelter, according to their official website. Within the past three years, the company has funded over 1,400 homes for those families in need of shelter.

It's also hopeful that in the future, New Story will be able to share their 3D printing technology with other governments and nonprofit organizations.

Art From the Streets rely on generous donations of people like YOU! 

Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. 

Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio 

for the homeless and at risk. THANK YOU!

 

Recently at the SXSW festival, a film that documents East Austin's first and only emergency homeless shelter for both immigrants and those seeking asylum, regardless of whether they're documented or undocumented, made its official debut.

The film, which is titled “They Live Here, Now,” made its debut this past Sunday afternoon at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, with additional screenings to follow later on this coming week.

“They Live Here, Now” tells the story of a teenage girl from Mexico whose brother was tragically murdered by members of a gang. After making her way to the United States, she finds herself at Casa Marianella, the aforementioned emergency homeless shelter. Through this, the audience is able to meet the real-life occupants of the shelter, as well as see what typically goes on in their daily lives.

Thanks to the film, the audience will be able to see exactly how the shelter's residents do many things, such as assist one another with daily tasks, building up a fellowship with each other, and even take classes to learn English. Refugees from locations such as Somalia and Iraq are featured, and all share their own unique stories of forgiveness, acceptance, and having the chance to start a brand new life in the United States.

Casa Marianella has been in operation since 1986 and has seen many individuals pass through it, such as Salvadoran war survivors and many different immigrants and refugees from approximately 40 countries. Additionally, the shelter also offers various resources of both legal and medical natures, and back in 2003, the shelter opened a separate branch known as Posada Esperanza, which is exclusively for both women and children. Currently, Casa Marianella operates 13 different homes which serve more than 300 people on an annual basis.

Art From the Streets rely on generous donations of people like YOU! 

Purchasing artwork supports the artists directly. 

Donating to our program helps us to offer a free Open Studio 

for the homeless and at risk. THANK YOU!