Bellini Ruggeri Gallery to Feature Work
by Hope Alzheimer’s Center Artists

Artwork created by Hope Alzheimer’s Center participants will be on exhibit at the Bellini Ruggeri Gallery on Providence’s East Side from February 12 – 19. An opening night reception, hosted by Hope, will be held Tuesday, February 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The show will feature over 30 watercolor paintings of a variety of subjects, as well as vases and bowls created a part of the Center’s pottery program.

Phyllis John, who lives with her daughter in Cranston, had never drawn. During her five years at Hope Alzheimer’s Center, however, she has created a collection of exceptionally lovely paintings, including this joyful still life.

Cranston resident Lucy Laudini has been enjoying art classes at Hope Alzheimer’s Center since 2002. This watercolor of flowers, with its vibrant colors, is typical of her work.

Highlights of the exhibit include the work of Phyllis John, 97, a longtime Hope participant, who has created an impressive series of floral paintings, and Lucy Laudini, 95, whose vivid work gracefully reflects her Italian heritage.

“ Not only is the work we are exhibiting beautiful, it tells a story of hope and love and achievement” says gallery owner Angela Ruggeri. “We want our show to truly honor the artists, their families and the wonderful work being done at Hope.”

Much of the work on exhibit will be for sale with 80% of the proceeds going to Hope.

“ We are delighted to see our artists receiving this kind of recognition,” says Cynthia Conant-Arp, Hope executive director. “Art therapy has been a centerpiece of our program for more than a decade and we have seen over and over how working creatively expands our participants’ worlds, brings them joy and helps them rediscover memories and feelings that once seemed lost.”

The Bellini Ruggeri Gallery, located at 182 Wayland Avenue in Providence, offers an eclectic collection of artwork. Its permanent collection includes works from Angelo V. Rosati, Christopher Zhang and Nino DiSimone.

In the event of bad weather, the reception will be held February 19.

The majority of the paintings by Hope’s artists were created under the guidance of Rhode Island artist Maurice Turcotte, the Center’s former art teacher. Three newer paintings, which will debut at the exhibition, were painted after Hope’s new art instructor, Kenneth R. Crook, took over leadership of the program. Mr. Crook also teaches at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University and the Community College of Rhode Island.