Kupuna with dementia find creativity, connection in Hilo

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) - Kupuna in Hilo helped mold a masterpiece that’s now on display for everyone to admire.

The project was led by Suzanne Wang, who is not just an accomplished ceramic artist. She’s a teacher, and her students at Hawaii Island Adult Care (HIAC) live with dementia.

“One of the biggest issues or things that they get depressed about is that they feel useless now because their executive functioning is so impaired and they’re not allowed to do much because it’s not safe,” Wang said.

Their memories may be fading, but their hands can still create something beautiful.

Wang found a way to keep them engaged and active through art.

“Art is like a bridge into the past and into another dimension of feeling and intuition and creativity,” she said. “Think of it as an exercise.”

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