Greenport, NY - November 17, 2015 - Peconic Landing is seeking applicants for its award-winning “Art Without Barriers” sculpture garden series with an open call for artists. Through “Art Without Barriers,” now in its third year, Peconic Landing has established the East End’s only accessible sculpture garden featuring interactive technology used in art therapy for those who are hearing or visually impaired.
For its next installation, Peconic Landing is seeking artists interested in touching the lives of those living with memory disorders through the creation of an original sculpture.
The innovative piece will become the centerpiece of a garden located in the Lifecare retirement community’s new memory care center, slated to open in 2016. Once created, the piece will be used as part of the organization’s innovative therapy program, which uses art and music to enhance connections with an individual’s past.
“It will become a destination within the garden, designed to hold a member’s attention while helping to bring them back to a place of comfort, if even just for a brief period,” said Dominic Antignano, Peconic Landing’s cultural arts curator.
The memory care center is the newest addition to The Shores at Peconic Landing, the community’s health center. The new 12,000 square foot, $9 million memory care center is slated to open in May 2016, and will provide a home-like environment for as many as 16 residents living with memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s dementia. It is one of several new additions being built as part of Peconic Landing’s $44 million expansion.
Peconic Landing’s current “Art Without Barriers” accessibility sculpture garden boasts 18 works featuring descriptive audio and braille catalogs. It was named one of LeadingAge New York’s 2015 Innovations of the Year.
“Expression through art is a powerful tool that can help individuals living with memory disorders reconnect with themselves,” said Gregory J. Garrett, Executive Vice President and Administrator of Health Services at Peconic Landing. ”We strive to incorporate the most innovative means to bring comfort and purpose to the lives of our members.”
The entry is open to all artists. The artist will retain ownership of the chosen sculpture and the work will be on display to Peconic Landing for two years. The chosen artist will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Proposed works should be no greater than 36” x 36” x 84” inclusive of the base. Because of the nature of this type of art therapy, tactile elements are encouraged.
Completed applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2016. To get a full prospectus and application download visit here.
Peconic Landing is an innovative, not-for-profit CCAC-CARF-accredited continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located on the waterfront in Greenport, N.Y., on the North Fork of Long Island. Among its long list of achievements, Peconic Landing is the only equity-based LifeCare community in the state of New York. It is a member of LeadingAge and LeadingAge New York and embraces a healthy, active lifestyle infused with a sense of exploration, creativity and generosity of spirit.
About the Award: LeadingAge New York is a not-for-profit advocacy group representing more than 600 retirement communities throughout the state. It also represents an estimated 150,000 professionals serving more than 500,000 New Yorkers annually.
