In conversation with Ali Marr – inclusive art sessions for people living with dementia

When I went to university many years ago, I never imagined I would be doing the work I am today as the boss of my own company, Enjoy-able Art. At the age of 17 I left the Scottish Borders town, Selkirk, to study Civil Engineering in Sheffield. I soon realised this was the wrong course and changed to packaging design. After graduation I did a week’s work experience in London and the realisation dawned on me that the reality of working in the packing industry was, I would be designing fast food packaging based in London. A pivotal moment was a passing comment in the office which was based on the river edge, “you know we’ll have made it when it’s our packaging floating down the river”. Back then sustainability was not the focus of the industry, but it was for me, and I knew it would be a difficult career to follow.

I went travelling and returned to Scotland to qualify as an outdoor sports instructor. I spent summers teaching mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, and wind surfing at Loch Morlich Watersports and winters teaching skiing and snowboarding up Cairngorm mountain. My favourite sport at the time was downhill mountain biking which I never taught, as it was important to keep something for myself.

When the pandemic hit, I found out I was pregnant, and it gave me a lot of time to think about what I wanted to do for work.  Being a mother was exhausting, and I needed a job that was relaxing which brought me back to my creative interests.  When my son was born, I wanted a career that would set a good example to him which was interesting, fun and challenging.

I took up voluntary work in a clay studio in Inverness, working with people who needed extra support. I always loved clay and that led to paid work in Grantown-on-Spey at Speybank Studios. When I saw that Alzheimer Scotland were looking for professionals to deliver art sessions, I knew this would be an amazing opportunity to deliver art classes for people living with dementia and their carers. I was brought in for a trial and here we are, two years later. 

My classes focus on nature and natural materials. Often people came to or stayed in the Cairngorms for the incredible natural environment, and my sessions are set up to reflect this. Getting to know people who attend regularly helps me shape projects to suit that person, learning their skills and abilities and most importantly what brings them joy. Each session is different and bespoke. Not everyone is arty, but everyone is welcome for a good time, a chat and some biscuits.  

Butterfly string artwork in progress Rosalyn Watson

I keep the materials natural, often making them myself. I enjoy the process of creating and experimenting with natural pigments – these processes are new to me, and I've learned them through teaching these sessions. I’ve made my own paints from blaeberries, paprika and turmeric with sticks, branches, feathers, pinecones and mosses as paintbrushes. I have also made charcoal by gathering willow sticks, peeling off the bark and then putting them into a small home-made kiln, which gets burned inside a firepit.

Often my inspiration comes from when I'm out in the forest walking our dog, I'm influenced by the season and what’s happening outside. While designing one of my sessions I was inspired by all the butterflies I saw on my walk, which eventually evolved into a simple but elegant butterfly mobile design.

In our classroom we have quite a lot of banter and a regular group of people that attend. They are building up friendships, which is lovely because they all share similar circumstances. Caring for someone is difficult, and it can feel like time together is robbed from you, so if I can create a little bit of joy and a bit of fun, and if these art pieces are a little memory of a nice time spent together, then I'm happy.

People attending an art session Rosalyn Watson

I wanted to raise awareness of Alzheimer Scotland to a wider audience, so I have set up an art gallery in the Penny Bun Restaurant, which is near the Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre in Badaguish.  It’s a popular restaurant so it’s great to have their support to allow us to display artwork for so many people to see.  This not only raises awareness of dementia and the sessions available to people, but you can easily make a donation to the cause during your visit and to say thanks we have a selection of gift cards made by our participants for you take.

Recently I have gained the confidence to set up my own not for profit organisation called Enjoy-able Art so I can continue these sessions for people in the local community. In the future I'd like to be able to deliver more classes around the area, go in to care homes and work with children who need additional support. There's so much we can learn from art and the natural world. 

Visit the art gallery at the Pennybun, Badaguish, for opening times visit their website: https://thepennybun.co.uk/ 

You can find out more about Ali’s work or attend a session through the Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre here: https://www.alzscot.org/centre/badaguish/

The art sessions are made possible through the Cairngorms 2030 programme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with thanks to National Lottery players. Sessions have also been supported by the Community Led Vision Fund.