SARASOTA, Fla. — June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than seven million Americans are living with the disease. And here in Florida, that includes more than 580,000 people ages 65 and older.

What You Need To Know

  • In Florida, more than 580,000 people ages 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease

  • Adult day center Town Square University Parkway and the Ringling Museum of Art recently teamed up on a special project where members created art during a six-week series of workshops

  • The center’s leadership and volunteers say art is one of the activities offered that stimulates the brain and helps with focus

  • An auction is taking place June 26 at Town Square University Parkway in Sarasota from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Town Square University Parkway is just one of the local resources available for patients and caregivers. It’s an adult day center in Sarasota that’s modeled after familiar settings - like a diner and a front porch. The goal is to stimulate remembrance.

“We are growing everyday. We continue to get members every week, and what we’re finding is that the caregivers have more patience when they pick them up,” Town Square University Parkway Program Director Denise Gibson said. “The participants, the members are extremely happy and tired at the end of the day.”

The center and the Ringling Museum of Art recently teamed up on a special project.

Ginny Burden says the two days a week she spends here at Town Square University Parkway gives her an outlet for all of the facets of her big personality.

“I just love the environment, the staff, the fun things we get to do,” she said.

She was part of a group made that made garlands out of strips of fabric. Artist Christine Gahagan helped.

“They each have their own set of skills and their own language. So, we each have an interpersonal language with each individual member. So, if someone is becoming nonverbal, you know other ways to get them to express,” Gahagan said.

Like Town Square’s other members, Burden has dementia. The center’s leadership and volunteers say art is one of the activities offered that stimulates the brain and helps with focus.

“Art has always been a way to find that roadmap back in,” Gahagan said. “Each one of them still has the right to their own self expression.”

That self expression is on display at the Ringling Museum of Art this month. The museum and center partnered on a six-week series of workshops where members created art using different mediums.

“This is my favorite. I love that you can put these little things together,” Burden said.

The pieces will be auctioned off to benefit the nonprofit, “All 4 The Members.” There will also be works created as part of the center’s regular art program.

Artist Brittany Lush worked with more than 40 members on a Van Gogh-style painting.

“We had members of our lower stages paint the solid color of the canvas, and then we had groups that each got their own flowers to paint individually how they wanted to,” Lush said.

It’s work she has a personal connection to. Lush’s father has Lewy body vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease and is a member at Town Square. She says she hopes the exhibit opens eyes.

“See what our members can do and that despite the disease, they’re still enjoying their life and being able to create amazing things and learn new skills,” Lush said.

And, like Burden, getting that thrill from a job well done.

You can get a look at the art featured from the Town Square members at the Ringling Museum of Art’s Education Center. An auction is taking place June 26 at Town Square University Parkway in Sarasota from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.