science, drawing and technology to advance dementia research

A collaborative research project between:

New Zealand’s Massey University and

France’s Institut Claude Pompidou and

Institut de Chimie de Nice, Université Côte d’Azur

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of symptoms that change and damage the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia.

The most common symptoms include changes in memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotion. Dementia is progressive and cannot be prevented or cured. Because its frequency increases with age, the number of people it strikes grows as the population ages.

According to the World Alzheimer’s Report 2015 the number of people with dementia worldwide will nearly double every 20 years. Therefore, it is even more relevant than ever before to bring together research expertise from France and New Zealand to develop methodologies that engage the human senses for early diagnosis, recall, stimulation, autonomy and art therapy for people with dementia.

Drawing to help maintain fine motor skills and to improve communication, wellbeing and self-esteem in people with dementia and their supporters.

Evaluating the potential influence of odour to artistic production and how these findings can then be potentially applied to enhance cognitive performance.

Studying writing/drawing to help early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD).

Learn more

Emma Febvre-Richards Photo.jpeg — Emma Febvre-Richards

**FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR**
Emma founded MeDArT in 2018 and is passionate about how art, science and technology can combine to enrich and advance dementia research.
Emma Febvre-Richards is an artist, and Associate Professor at Massey University Wellington, whose research sits within the expanded practice of drawing. Engaging ‘Drawing is Thinking’ to combine traditional mediums of rendering with advanced technology and other disciplines (sound and neuro-science) to explore how codes of our environment, culture and art creation inform and influence brain function, memory and experience.
Febvre-Richards has exhibited and published in Asia, Europe and the Pacific (EmmaFebvre-Richards.com), and is a co-founder of Drawing Open: an international research community (drawingopen.com).

Supported by

MeDArt's three projects has been reviewed and endorsed by Alzheimers New Zealand and by Dementia Wellington.

http://www.alzheimers.org.nz

https://www.dementiawellington.org.nz

Fundraising for MeDArT is being done through Massey University's charitable arm; the Massey University Foundation.

To make a donation, please click to go to Donations.

MinDArT is a dual-care eight week nature-based sensorial material and digital drawing programme for people living with dementia and their supporters.

The project explores the hypothesis that fine motor capabilities are retained in the neurodegenerative pathologies of dementia and that by working with these relatively preserved capacities through drawing, we can help maintain proficiency and expect an improvement in the verbal and non-verbal communication level of the people with dementia by giving them an opportunity to express in another medium that isn’t oral.

The programme aims to improve communication, wellbeing, anxiety and self-esteem in participants as well as help maintain fine motor skills.

Founder Emma Febvre-Richards talks about her inspiration for MinDArT.

The sessions

MinDArT is an eight-week 1.5 hour drawing programme for people living with dementia and their supporters.

Each weekly session involves material and digital drawing exercises inspired from nature that engage as many senses as possible, such as visually exploring the shapes and patterns of flora and fauna, touching sand or listening to Taonga Pūoro.

We start each session with a welcome and a context for the week, this is then followed by some relaxation exercises that range from swaying to the sound of the wind, to seated Tai-chi, Samoan hand dance or SpinPoi. This is then followed by 2 to 3 types of drawing in different mediums according to each week’s focus. The aim of these drawings is not on the ‘right way’ to draw but rather on each individuals approach, giving things a go, moving at your own speed and celebrating everyone’s outcomes.

Once these drawing are completed, we then add the drawings to a group mural that continues to grow each time we have a session. After the 8 week period this results in a beautiful array of approaches, creativity and mark-making. Towards the end of the session, we move into 10 to 15 minutes of digital drawing with a specially designed digital drawing application. We then finish with quick feedback about session and then another relaxation exercise.

Each participant is given a digital tablet for the duration of the programme so that they can access the digital drawing at any time at home. This allows everyone to access the benefits of the digital drawing programme at their own leisure until they are presented with the next instalment the following week. We have now supplemented this with a hard-copy drawing kit that gets added to weekly on attending the sessions.

“MinDArT lets you be in the moment in a relaxing, meditative state, as well as being stimulating.”

— former MinDArT participant

Differences between MinDArT in Aotearoa New Zealand and France

We didn’t initially plan to have MinDArT for the supporters in Aotearoa but to follow our French research partners who have their supporters doing meditation workshops based on renowned MBSR (Mindful-based Stress Reduction) programme by Kabit-Zinn while people living with dementia undertook MinDArT. However when we first trialled the programme in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington with supporters to test the suitability for their loved ones they found it to be so beneficial that they asked to have it too! This has resulted in numerous benefits, the sharing of transport to the sessions, each person having their ‘own’ creative space (as we have one room for people living with dementia and another for supporters), much positive discussion after about the sessions and the a real creation of community with all the participants.

MinDArT has been developed by

Massey University Aotearoa New Zealand and Institut Claude Pompidou CoBTEK/ CMRR France,

with Dementia Wellington and Dr. Gary Cheung from The University of Auckland joining in 2018,

Dr Susan Gee and Tracey Hawkes from Canterbury District Health Board , Dementia Canterbury and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetū in 2020,

Burwood Dementia Ward and Hōhepa House for people with Downs syndrome in 2021.

“I thought it was a very consciously designed program, drawing from nature and allowing people to go back to creative basics – it felt like it was very purposeful... and grounding.”

— former MinDArT participant

If you are interested in participating in MinDArT and have been diagnosed as living with dementia (or your loved ones has), click here to learn more.

Learn more

Current MinDArT programme

In September 2023 we will be starting our long awaited MinDArT and Memory Café: a crossover trial that will see us looking for 72 participants (36 pairs: 36 people living with dementia and 36 supporters).

This study investigates the impact of MinDArT, compared to a Memory Café intervention. The study uses a cross-over design: half the participants will randomly selected to participate in MinDArT first then Memory Café. The other half will participate Memory Café first, then MinDArT.

Our objectives are to assess:

1. Does MinDArT have a positive impact on how people living with dementia feel (well-being, stress, and anxiety) and on what they can do (communication, fine motor skills, and thinking and memory skills)? Is the change greater than that for the Memory Cafe?

2. Do well-being and stress improve for supporters when taking part in MinDArT? Is this change greater than that for the Memory Cafe intervention?

3. Are any effects purely “in the moment” or do they persist over time?

4. Is taking part in MinDArT an engaging and positive experience? Is there a higher level of individual engagement for people living with dementia in MinDArT sessions compared to Memory Cafe sessions?

5. What are the perceived benefits of MinDArT and Memory Cafe membership, and the similarities and difference between them?

Why should you participate in this study?

Because we believe it is fun and beneficial for people living with dementia and their supporters and we would like to be able to collect more data to show this.
You don’t need to know how to draw!
It’s about using the process of drawing in all its mediums to improve well-being, communication and fine motor skills, while also meeting some amazing people and creating a lasting network. We would love your help.

- Emma Febvre-Richards, Founder, MeDArT

When is the programme running?

First period (8 weeks): Mid-September to Mid-November, 2023.

Wash-out period (10 weeks): Mid November to early February.

Second period (8 weeks): early February to early April, 2024.

How are the outcomes of the sessions evaluated?

We will be asking all participants to do some pre and post evaluations for our study. We have also put in place some discreet evaluations during the study. Emma Febvre-Richards will explain this in detail if you are interested in participating in the trial and will also give you a booklet of what this involves.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Memory Café?

This is a social gathering run by a Memory Café facilitator for a group of people living with dementia, and their supporters, to meet for a ‘chat’ at a selected local café and have a hot or cold beverage paid by us.

A key aim of Memory Cafés is to increase the opportunity for connections with and social support for people living with dementia and carers in a shared community setting (Watson et al., 2016). Many facilitators and participants say that the best part of the café is the informal socialising with people who are in a similar situation to themselves and having the opportunity to develop new social networks and friendships.

We will be running these on Monday 10-11.30am and Saturday 10-11.30am for 8 weeks. We imagine the Saturday session will be better for those who are working.

What is a wash-out period?

That is where all the participants stop the MinDArT programme and Memory Café for a period of 10 weeks in order to be refreshed for swapping over to the other group in February. We have made this over the summer/ Christmas period so we think this is perfect!

What are the principles of MinDArT?

Click here to read the 10 principles that underpin the sessions.

If you are interested in participating in MinDArT and have been diagnosed as living with dementia (or your loved ones has), click here to learn more.

Learn more

Comments from the MinDArT supporters programme

It’s like another form of communication using different mediums.

And freeing, creatively. I feel that as an adult, more often than as a child, your art is quite restricted; and to come into a space where anything you make is okay, and then you get to see what everyone is making too, it’s quite freeing.

“It was an escape from having to explain, because we all know we have some level of shared experience of what’s going on with our loved ones which means we can just get into the art.”

— former MinDArT participant

It’s quite wonderful how it’s not judgmental and you have the freedom to express and explore, and have fun with like-minded people who are on the same path with their loved ones. So, it’s nice to be away and just to allow yourself to be in the moment and have the freedom to express using MindArt as a form.

For me I was really happy to share with others what I was doing and where I was going. In fact, my friends are envious that I have this opportunity because they can see that I’m happier as a person, and they can see I’ve gone back to being creative and more open about it. When my friends see I’m happy, they can see that it has an influence on my family, especially my Mum.

This has just been just as valuable for the caregivers as for those it was intended for, if you like. Caregivers and those with dementia both get something out of this. Something they can share in as well.

When I described my feelings after the second to last session to the support group that I attend, which I attend right after this, and I was saying, “I feel so wonderfully relaxed,” and the more I described the program the more they said, “Well that’s just what we need too”.

It’s been very rewarding for me, because this is more than I expected in terms of getting back to myself. This has become my time, and my ability to be able to get away from the day-to-day realities. I feel like I’ve come into a bubble, and it’s quite a loving and creative and stimulating bubble. Coming back into it, into the real world – I needed this time, for me, and it’s been a jolt, because of the contrast, of being able to have this wonderful session and going back. And I feel more bolstered, being able to deal with what I need to get on with.

There’s a lot of joy that comes out of these sessions.

News and initiatives

MinDArT clinically proves to be successful in France

In June 2022 Emma Febvre-Richards travelled back to the Institut Claude Pompidou to finish the second stage of the French MinDArT Study that started before Covid in 2019. This studies results have now been received and are awaiting publication. We are happy to announce that the study has clinically “shown that in the short and long terms, the meditative practice with artistic mediation has a beneficial impact on the stress and anxiety of people living with dementia”.

New taonga pūoro soundtracks for MiNDArT digital drawing applications

New taonga pūoro soundtracks have been developed for MiNDArT digital drawing applications. Our approach to creating this music was driven by interpreting both the literal and metaphorical aspects of the MedArt drawing app through a musical/sound healing lens. Click here to read more.

SpinPoi collaborates with MinDArT

SpinPoi collaborates with MinDArt to create Seated Tai-chi and Seated Poi videos for the MinDArt programme. Click here for more information.

MinDArT Evaluations Tools Study August 2022

Massey University, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

This study assessed the acceptability and feasibility of the proposed outcomes measures for the 2023-2024 Randomised Control Trial (RCT) of MinDArT for 72 participants in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. The study focused on how people found the components of the assessment - was there anything that they didn't manage, didn't do or didn't like that would provide a red flag for planning the full study.

MinDArT in Burwood Hospital

We are delighted to share an update about the trial introduction of MinDArT to the dementia specialty older persons mental health ward at Burwood Hospital in Christchurch. Click here to read more.

Clinical Publication in 2022

(2022) "In-person and remote workshops for people with neurocognitive disorders: recommendations from a Delphi panel" Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Journal, section Neurocognitive Aging and Behavior. Valeria Manera, Luis Agüera-Ortiz, Florence Askenazy, Bruno Dubois, Xavier Corveleyn, Liam Cross, Roxane Fabre, Emma Febvre-Richards, Nathalie Fernandez, Pierre Foulon, Auriane Gros, Cedric Gueyraud, Mikael Lebourhis, Patrick Mallea, Léa Martinez, Marie-Pierre Pancrazi, Magali Payne, Vincent Robert, Laurent Tamagno, Susanne Thümmler and Philippe Robert.

Other MinDArT initiatives

(2022) MinDArT Stage 1 and 2, Dementia Wellington Symposium, Wellington, New Zealand

(2022) Presentation on MinDArT at Older Persons Mental Health Workshop at Tū ora, Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

(2022) MinDArT and Hilma Workshop at City Gallery Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand

(2021-) MinDArT for people with Downs Syndrome and dementia workshop at Hōhepa House, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

(2020-2022) MinDArT Digital Drawing Applications for Stress Reduction for Nursing Staff and Supporters on the Covid-19 Hospital wards in France

MinDArT SpinPoi video for relaxation

MinDArT Team

The MinDArT Team that works with Emma Febvre-Richards includes clinical, creative/ digital facilitation, evaluation and advisory. These teams often work within more than one area at one time as this programme has been co-designed.

MinDArT also engages interns from a range of related academic disciplines at Massey University, who assist with the preparation of materials and resources, and help with delivery and documentation of the 8 week drawing programme.

Clinical

CHRISTELLE FILLEAUChristelle Filleau, psychologist specializing in neuropsychology.Employed at the Nice University Hospital since 1987, she is involved in research projects, evaluation, monitoring and management of patients suffering from Alzheimer'… — CHRISTELLE FILLEAU
Christelle Filleau, psychologist specializing in neuropsychology.
Employed at the Nice University Hospital since 1987, she is involved in research projects, evaluation, monitoring and management of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related syndromes.

DR SUSAN GEE
Susan is an experienced researcher who concurrently holds the position of lead researcher of the Psychiatry of Older Academic Unit for the Canterbury District Health Board. She holds a PhD in Psychology and a Masters in Gerontology. Susan has leadership and support roles in relation to dementia education, delirium prevention, and person-centred care and her research and publications reflect and strengthen these foci.
She is a research advisor for Dementia Canterbury and co-opted expert for the Health of Older People South Island Service Level Alliance.

DR GARY CHEUNGDr Gary Cheung (PhD, FRANZCP, MBChB) is an academic old age psychiatrist. He currently holds a joint appointment between Auckland District Health Board as a community old age psychiatrist and the University of Auckland as a Senior Lecturer. His research interests are centred on improving health outcomes and quality of life and care of older people living in aged residential care and community. He co-leads the translation and research of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for mild to moderate dementia in New Zealand. — DR GARY CHEUNG
Dr Gary Cheung (PhD, FRANZCP, MBChB) is an academic old age psychiatrist. He currently holds a joint appointment between Auckland District Health Board as a community old age psychiatrist and the University of Auckland as a Senior Lecturer.
His research interests are centred on improving health outcomes and quality of life and care of older people living in aged residential care and community. He co-leads the translation and research of cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) for mild to moderate dementia in New Zealand.

TRACEY HAWKES Tracey Hawkes is an Occupational Therapist with over 2 decades of clinical experience and a Dementia Educator at Canterbury District Health Board based in Christchurch, Canterbury. She facilitates the ‘Walking in another’s shoes’ dementia education programme for home-based support staff. Tracey also holds a role at Hohepa Canterbury. Her focus is helping care staff to develop the confidence and person-centred tools to support older people to live more independent and fulfilled lives. — TRACEY HAWKES
Tracey Hawkes is an Occupational Therapist with over 2 decades of clinical experience and a Dementia Educator at Canterbury District Health Board based in Christchurch, Canterbury. She facilitates the ‘Walking in another’s shoes’ dementia education programme for home-based support staff. Tracey also holds a role at Hohepa Canterbury.
Her focus is helping care staff to develop the confidence and person-centred tools to support older people to live more independent and fulfilled lives.

DR ALEXANDRA KÖNIGDr Alexandra König currently works at the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, at the Research Lab Cobtek (Cognition, Behaviour, Technology) at the University Côte d'azur and the French Institute for Research in… — DR ALEXANDRA KÖNIG
Dr Alexandra König currently works at the Memory Clinic, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, at the Research Lab Cobtek (Cognition, Behaviour, Technology) at the University Côte d'azur and the French Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation (INRIA), Sophia Antipolis. Alexandra does research in Neuropsychology, Geriatrics, Neurology and Psychiatry with a focus on the intersection with technology development and the use of Artificial Intelligence.
Her current projects are on the use of automatic speech analysis for assessing cognitive function and emotional disturbances in elderly people and the design of non-pharmacological interventions involving assistive technologies.

Creative and digital

CAMERON MAY

Cameron May is an artist and programmer. In his art practice, Cameron uses machines, electronics and simulations to create artworks that are indeterminate and unstable.

Cameron completed his MFA at Massey University in 2018, and has exhibited across New Zealand and Australia. For the MedArt project, Cameron is applying his coding experience to create a series of unique digital drawing applications.

JAMES WILCE
James Wilce is a technologist with a BSc in Computer Science. James joined the MeDArT team in 2023 and utilises his extensive skillset gained from working with large enterprise clients to support the MeDArT project. His main focus is the ongoing maintenance and development of MeDArT digital applications and toolsets.

CATHARINA NEVES SCHULTZ
Catharina is our graphic designer. She advices and helps create MedArt’s physical and digital compositions, layouts and visual concepts.
Catharina has been with us for 4 years and graduated 2 years ago with her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Communication Design at Massey University.
She is currently working as a Graphic Designer for a Calendar and Promotional Products Company, designing products and advertisements for other companies as well as doing inhouse visual work.

JAY VAN DIJK
Jay is a current photography student at Massey University and has been involved with MeDArt since 2023, producing video and photographic content for the programme.

Facilitation and evaluation

TINA CARTER
Tina Carter is a Social Worker, who has worked in the elderly space in New Zealand since 2019. Tina currently enjoys working at Dementia Wellington in her role as a Dementia Advisor supporting people who are living with dementia as well as their whanau. Previously, Tina worked in Childhood Development as well as being a teacher and facilitator for various education and non-profit organisations, as well as facilitating the MinDArT sessions.

ROHAN TRUEMAN
Rohan Trueman was our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2020 and is completed his final year of the BFA (Hons) in 2022 . Rohan is currently working for Dementia Wellington and will now facilitate the MinDArT sessions.

EMMA FROMINGS
Emma is a registered mental health nurse who has specialised in dementia throughout her nursing career. She has worked in various settings, hospital, aged residential care and the community.
She currently works for Tu Ora as a Health Improvement Practitioner, based in a medical practice. In this role she continues to work with people living with dementia and their families as well as educating health professionals to become better at recognising and responding to changes in cognition. She has a particular interest in psychosocial supports for people affected by dementia.

LINDA RAY
Linda is one of MinDArT’s evaluators and has worked as an Occupational Therapy Support Worker at an inpatient Mental Health Unit on the Porirua Hospital campus for just over 20 years.
Currently Linda is enjoying being “ouma” to her 6 grandchildren and is a volunteer with an organisation teaching refugee women to drive so they can obtain their driver’s licence.

DIONNE DELACEY
Dionne is one of MinDArT’s evaluators and is a registered comprehensive nurse who has worked in primary and secondary health in the community for the past 30 years. Dionne’s passions are supporting people to get the help and resources they need to live their best lives.
Dionne currently works at Tawa and Linden medical centres as the outreach nurse, which involves visiting people in their homes, assessing and connecting them with the right people and resources to promote independence or supports to live safely in their home. Dionne meets a lot of people with varying degrees of cognitive impairment and Dementia, unfortunately often not until mid to late stages of Dementia due to a family concern or crisis. Dionne follows the cognitive impairment health pathways to work with the person, their family and their GP to assess and support in diagnosis, linking with education and supports available and future planning such as encouraging setting up of EPOA and advanced care plans. Our goal at the medical centre is to break down barriers and stigma around Dementia, improve on earlier diagnosis of Dementia to enable better future planning.

LIZZIE YOUNG
Lizzie is one of MinDArT’s evaluators and is a registered occupational therapist currently practicing as a health improvement practitioner for Te Awakairangi Health Network in the Hutt Valley.
Previously, she worked in secondary mental health in community settings. She thoroughly enjoys working in primary care, supporting wellbeing and connecting with the variety and diversity that comes with being human.

Advisory

HUHANNA SMITH
Professor Huhana Smith is our Māori Advisor and (from 7 August 2023) is the former Head of Whiti o Rehua School of Art, Massey University, Wellington. She is of Ngāti Tukorehe ancestry and affiliated to Raukawa ki te Tonga of Tapapa, Waikatoa and Kuku region in Horowhenua. She remains a visual artist, curator and principle investigator for research teams who collectively engage in major collaborative, trans-disciplinary, kaupapa Māori and action-research projects for Māori lands, waterways and climate change impacts. She actively encourages the use of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems) as research methods alongside with sciences. Huhana’s art practice draws upon all water, land and climate change research undertaken to date. She has also recently received funding for a new research team of artists and landscape architects to comprehensively map the memory of water and collate GIS data to help in making changes that reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the coastal iwi farm of Ngāti Tukorehe in Kuku, Horowhenua. Huhana is a keen advocate of MeDArT participatory research, as her partner Richard was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in July 2015. Whilst he is now at the more difficult end of his condition, when making art and gardening these were great ways in keeping him connected to whānau, grounded to the earth, and aligned to his conservationist training expertise and environmental ethic.

ALICE-ANN LEVIATOA
Alice-Ann Leviatoa is our Pacific Advisor and a carer for her mother, who has been diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. She is passionate about finding innovative ways to use art, Pacific music, and movement to enrich lives. Alice-Ann is continually on the lookout for new opportunities to study the causes and effects of cognitive impairment and dementia. She is also involved in numerous community groups. One of which, is a Pacific focused exercise group for elders.

PHILIPPE ROBERT
Dr. Philippe Robert is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, ex-Director of the Memory and Research Center (CMRR) of the CHU of Nice, Director of the Cognition, Behavior & Technology team (CoBTeK), and coordinator of the National Bank Alzheimer. His areas of expertise relate to behavioral and psychological symptoms, the evaluation and treatment of apathy, and the use of new technologies for diagnosis and stimulation in the elderly.

KURA TE WARU-REWIRI
(Ngāti Pakahi, Ngātirangi, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Raukawa)
Kura since the mid-1990s’ has been an artist who has been proactive with the developments of contemporary Māori arts as a Māori Arts Educator, a consultant and a freelance curator. She is currently Associate Professor of Māori Visual Arts for Toioho Ki Āpiti Undergraduate, Post Graduate and Masters in Māori Visual Arts degrees at Massey Palmerston North and holds a significant list of achievements: including being introduced into the Massey University CoCA Hall of Fame in 2016; a Project Lead and major artist contributor to the completion of the Northland Polytechnic Whare ‘Te Puna o Te Mātauranga. (Opened Dec 7th 2015.); 2008-2014 Kura was one of the last Ministerial appointments to the Māori Art Board, Te Waka Toi of Creative New Zealand; and is one of the five Ngāpuhi Artist Board of Directors to Toi Ngāpuhi to advocate for artists and their aspirations.

ANNE SCHUMACHER
Anne is the Chief Executive of Dementia Wellington, a position she has enjoyed for 6 years. She is a registered nurse and has an MA in Nursing from Victoria University, Wellington. Anne has extensive experience in gerontology nursing, and has held senior leadership positions both in residential care settings and community-based home care. She has lectured in postgraduate and undergraduate nursing programmes and remains passionate about bringing dementia out of the shadows and breaking down the stigma that is still so prevalent in our society. Anne leads a team of professional staff and volunteers that work to support people affected by mate wareware to live their best lives possible.

Interns and research assistants

DAWN WILCE
Dawn Wilce was an intern for MinDArT in 2023 and continues to provide support in 2024. She is currently working towards an MFA at Massey. Dawn is a firm advocate for the meditative and therapeutic benefits of drawing and brings passion and enthusiasm to the MinDArT research program.

OLIVIA ROSE
Olivia is a 2024 MinDArT intern in her third year of Fine Arts study at Massey University. She is interested in how art can be used to connect people and create accessible communities beneficial to mental wellbeing.

SAMMY RAMUSSEN
Sammy Rasmussen is an intern for MinDArT in 2024 and is currently in her third year of BFA ( Hons ). Sammy is interested in exploring how art encourages cognitive growth and health benefits especially within ECE.

CHELSEA PARKER
Chelsea is an intern at MinDArT and is completing her Design Degree (Hons) in spatial design. She’s interested in how the drawing process can be used as a playful thinking tool and a way to benefit health and wellbeing.

EM FLUX
Em is currently a fine arts student at Massey University, interning for MinDArT as part of their studies. Their practice explores a range of mediums, particularly sculpture and performance. They use their art as a method to uplift the neurodiverse experience.

Past contributors

SARAH TOGHER
Sarah is a registered nurse who has specialized in older adult mental health and dementia during her nursing career in the NHS, working in various hospital inpatient and the community services settings in the UK.. Here in NZ she worked as a clinical manager in an aged care facility before joining Dementia Wellington, as a dementia advisor. Sarah was the lead for the implementation of Advanced Care Planning for people with dementia. Sarah is now working for VSA in Papua New Guinea.

DAVID RENAUD
Dr David Renaud was physician at the Nice University Hospital in the memory Center. He received his MD in psychiatry from the Nice School of Medicine and his PhD in biology from the UCA University Cote d’Azur. His fields of expertise are the study of cognitive and behavioural disturbances in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, the movement analysis (actimetry), and the use of information and communication technologies for the early diagnosis and the non pharmacological management of cognitive disorders in elderly subjects.

EMMANUELLE DELMASSE-SIMONIEmmanuelle Delmasse-Simoni was a co-facilitator for MinDArT in Nice France in 2019. Leading relaxation exercises, evaluating participants before and after the programme, documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with the delivery of this 8 sessions.MinDArT was part of Emmanuelle’s final exegesis to become a neuropsychologist (psychologist specialised in neurosciences). — EMMANUELLE DELMASSE-SIMONI
Emmanuelle Delmasse-Simoni was a co-facilitator for MinDArT in Nice France in 2019. Leading relaxation exercises, evaluating participants before and after the programme, documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with the delivery of this 8 sessions.
MinDArT was part of Emmanuelle’s final exegesis to become a neuropsychologist (psychologist specialised in neurosciences).

MANON GUERRERO
Manon Guerrero, was a co-facilitator for MinDArT in Nice France in 2019. Leading relaxation exercises, evaluating participants before and after the programme, documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with the delivery of these 8 sessions. MinDArT project was the subject of her thesis at the end of her masters degree to become a speech and language therapist.

Past interns

FIONA CAMPBELL
Fiona Campbell was an intern for MinDArT in 2023 during her second year of a BFA (Hons). Fiona is interested in the intersection of art and mental health and wellbeing.

COURTNEY JOAN McLAUGHLIN (CJ) CJ is our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2022 and is in her 3rd year. CJ is interested in the science/art nexus and how it can benefit society. — COURTNEY JOAN McLAUGHLIN (CJ)
CJ is our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2022 and is now her 4th year. CJ is interested in the science/art nexus and how it can benefit society.

ADAIR VALENTINE-ROBERTSON
Adair is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Massey University. I'm eager to explore how art and science can intersect to shed light on the challenges of dementia.

ELANA SPOD
Elana Spod is our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2022 and has now completed her degree. Elana is working in the arts sector in Ōtautahi Chistchurch and is hoping to go on to study Creative Arts Therapy and further explore her own practice and research.

BERN FLAXMAN-HENDRIKS
Bern Flaxman-Hendriks was our Intern/Research Assistant for MinDArT in 2023 and is currently in her fourth year of BDes (Hons) Integrated at Massey.

ASHLEY COULING
Ashley Couling was our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2021 and has completed her final year of the BFA (Hons) in 2022. Ashley is taking a small break after studies to raise her daughter and is hoping to go on to study curatorial processes and further explore her own practice.

LIBBY MORRISON
Libby is a visual artist who focuses on painting and creates vibrant works that explores joy and the human experience. She was a MinDArT intern for 2023.

HANNAH GREENWOLD
Hannah Greenwold was our BFA (Hons) Intern / Research Assistant for MindArt in 2021 and has completed her final year of the BFA (Hons) in 2022. Hannah is a practising artist and also works at Genetic Health Service New Zealand.

EMILY RIETVELDEmily Rietveld is our Intern/ Research Assistant for MindArt in 2020. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme. Emily is in her fourth and final year studyi… — EMILY RIETVELD
Emily Rietveld was our Intern/ Research Assistant for MindArt in 2020. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme.
Emily has completed her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at Massey University, Wellington, a post-graduate diploma in Teaching at Massey University and now is a secondary school art teacher.

HOLLY MASONHolly Mason is our Intern/ Research Assistant for MindArt in 2020. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme.Holly is currently in her third year of her Fine Ar… — HOLLY MASON
Holly Mason was our Intern/ Research Assistant for MindArt in 2020. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme.
Holly has completed her fourth year of her Fine Arts degree at Massey University, Wellington in 2020 and is now studying post-graduate.

PAST CONTRIBUTORKAY WILLIAMSKay Williams was our Intern /Research Assistant for MindArt in 2019. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme. Kay was an International Exchan… — KAY WILLIAMS
Kay Williams was our Intern /Research Assistant for MindArt in 2019. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme.
Kay was an International Exchange Student from California, and was in her fourth year of her Bachelors of Fine Arts at UC Berkeley, USA. She has since graduated and now is studying toward becoming a University Professor.

PAST CONTRIBUTORGABBY SINTONGabby Sinton was our Intern /Research Assistant for MindArt. in 2019. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme. Gabby has now completed her Fi… — GABBY SINTON
Gabby Sinton was our Intern /Research Assistant for MindArt. in 2019. Documenting, preparing learning resources, and helping with delivery of this 8 week material/ digital drawing programme. Gabby has now completed her Fine Arts degree at Massey University, Wellington and has now completed her Post-graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Draw me an odour is a trans-disciplinary project dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of the links between the sense of smell, colour and gesture.

The project aims to evaluate the potential influence of an olfactory stimulation to artistic production and how these findings can then be potentially applied to creative workshops/ applications to engage fine motor skills for people with Dementia. The central question is the possibility of enhancing cognitive performance with the use of non-pharmaceutical protocol. Olfactory stimulations could be applied to promote better performance, concentration, recall, autonomy and flexibility in daily tasks.

Stage 1

Draw me an Odour has finished its first stage, having developed a digital tool that allows us to explore how cognitive tasks are influenced by odour.

The first stage is titled ‘Colour me an Odour’ as it explores odour/colour association with participants being asked to identify a colour that corresponds to the odour they are smelling, while also filling in a questionnaire that explores hedonicity, familiarity, intensity, relaxing effects, the context (urban, nature, inside, outside) and memory (positive/negative recollection, past or recent).

Dr Jérémie Topin of ChEmoSim lab, Institut de Chimie de Nice and Massey University, Wellington have now finished their sample and the Pacific Community Study in Wellington is well underway. Testing of paryicipants in South Korea at DGIST (Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology) in Daegu at the laboratory of Professor Cheil Moon and at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú in Peru has been Covid delayed.

However, the sample size already undertaken, the results are looking promising, measuring the difference among the populations and the cultural impact. The question is to know if there exists a common invariant between different cultures.

Draw Me An Odour has been developed by

Massey University and The Institut of Chimie de Nice (ICN) (chemistry) Université Côte D’Azur, Nice

The International Perfume Museum of Grasse, France

Exhibition for Stage 1 and Stage 2

Draw me an Odour has now been joined by The International Perfume Museum of Grasse, France. The museum is considered to be unique in the world due to its scope and diversity of its collections based on the theme of perfume. Creating prestigious exhibitions in collaboration with all major international perfume houses and European cultural institutions.

Draw me an Odour has collaborated with the museum to create a public art installation that explores the correlation between odour and colour.

Shaping an environment through new olfactory molecules technology and by utilising data collected from the 100,000 + annual visitors to The International Perfume Museum.

The Draw me an Odour science and art research nexus aligns perfectly with the museum’s objectives and the exhibition has opened in May 2022.

The exhibition provides the opportunity for Draw me an Odour to collect new data for Stage 2. Utilising a large interactive digital screen in real time to assess how smell can affect the forms that people draw.

Draw Me An Odour Team

JÉRÉMIE TOPINI am revealing biomolecular mechanisms at spatial and temporal scales that remain difficult to observe experimentally, using numerical approaches. My research project is focused on the prediction of the odor, and/or the emotion induce b… — JÉRÉMIE TOPIN
I am revealing biomolecular mechanisms at spatial and temporal scales that remain difficult to observe experimentally, using numerical approaches. My research project is focused on the prediction of the odor, and/or the emotion induce by a molecule using its chemical structure as input. The long-term objective is to learn a computer how to smell.
As theoretical chemist, I am applying various methods of molecular modeling and chemoinformatic to investigate at the atomic scale the interactions between ligands and receptors. These researches are always conducted in the perspective of linking in sillico observations to in vitro or in vivo results.
As a physiologist, I am measuring human physiological variations induced by olfactory stimulations. These experiments are made to identify mood modulator.

OMAR CASTROOmar Castro is a visual artist and teacher at the Faculty of Art and Design (FAD) of the PUCP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú), in Peru. He is interested in the ways in which drawing and artistic research can engage with other f… — OMAR CASTRO
Omar Castro is a visual artist and teacher at the Faculty of Art and Design (FAD) of the PUCP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú), in Peru. He is interested in the ways in which drawing and artistic research can engage with other fields of knowledge. His artistic practice investigates understandings, representations and relationships with notions such as territory and nature through different media.
He coordinates with a group of students and teachers from the FAD the development of the 'Draw me an odor' tests in Lima under the current circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.

CAMERON MAY
Cameron May is an artist and programmer. In his art practice, Cameron uses machines, electronics and simulations to create artworks that are indeterminate and unstable. Cameron completed his MFA at Massey University in 2018, and has exhibited across New Zealand and Australia. For the MedArt project, Cameron is applying his coding experience to create a series of unique digital drawing applications.

JAMES WILCE
JAMES WILCE
James Wilce is a technologist with a BSc in Computer Science. James joined the MeDArT team in 2023 and utilises his extensive skillset gained from working with large enterprise clients to support the MeDArT project. His main focus is the ongoing maintenance and development of MeDArT digital applications and toolsets.

EMILY BOSWELL
Emily is our Digital Animator. She works with motion graphics, illustration, and videos. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication Design from Massey and currently works as a freelance illustrator.

BRI SIMPSONBri Simpson is our New Zealand/Aotearoa ‘Draw Me an Odour’ Research Assistant. Currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (hons) at Massey University, she engages with drawing as expanded practice, researching political community engage… — BRI SIMPSON
Bri Simpson is our New Zealand/Aotearoa ‘Draw Me an Odour’ Research Assistant. Currently completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (hons) at Massey University, she engages with drawing as expanded practice, researching political community engagement and visual arts pedagogy.

Graphe is a study of digital drawing to help identify early markers of Primary Progressive Aphasia.

The Graphe project is based on using non-invasive advanced technologies to help early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD). In order to establish a health plan for the person in need and their relatives as soon as possible, early detection of the discriminating signs of the disease, is fundamental. This allows the person to maintain their quality of life and retain autonomy through pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for as long as possible. Language and motor skills are the first functions to be compromised, with suspected AD and FTLD people reporting difficulties to read and write. Therefore, studying writing/drawing, for AD and FTLD research today is vital.

What is Primary Progressive Aphasia?

Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) is a neurological syndrome in which language capabilities become slowly and progressively impaired.

Unlike other forms of aphasia that result from stroke or brain injury, PPA is caused by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration.

Graphe has been developed by

Massey University

New Zealand and Institut Claude Pompidou, CoBTEK/ CMRR, France

Updates

March 2022

Emma Febvre-Richards is traveling in June 2022 to Institut Claude Pompidou in Nice, France to collaborate on this project that has been severely delayed due to Covid-19

January 2020

After the workshop in Nice in October 2019 we have some new members (please see below) for Graphe. Two digital applications from MinDArT are now being re-designed to be used in the ‘graphic parameter’ research project lead by Alexandra Plonka, Dr.Auriane Gros and Dr. Aurélie Mouton. Testing with these applications will take place in the next few months once development is completed.

July 2019

We have a new name ‘Graphe’ (previously Alwrite) in order to better represent the foundation principles of this project. Dr Auriane Gros and Emma Febvre-Richards are scheduled for a protocol development workshop in October 2019 in Nice, France.

Graphe Team

AURIANE GROSAuriane Gros is lecturer in Neurosciences at the Medicine University of Nice and at CoBTeK (Cognition-Behavior-Technology) laboratory. She’s pedagogical Director of the Department of Speech Therapy in Nice . Her main field of research is… — AURIANE GROS
Auriane Gros is lecturer in Neurosciences at the Medicine University of Nice and at CoBTeK (Cognition-Behavior-Technology) laboratory. She’s pedagogical Director of the Department of Speech Therapy in Nice . Her main field of research is the use of new technologies to assess and take care neurodegenerative diseases (such Primary Progressive Aphasia).

ALEXANDRA PLONKAAlexandra Plonka is a master degree student in speech and language pathology at the Medicine University of Nice, member of the Cobtek Laboratory. She specializes in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasias via graphical markers. — ALEXANDRA PLONKA
Alexandra Plonka is a master degree student in speech and language pathology at the Medicine University of Nice, member of the Cobtek Laboratory. She specializes in the diagnosis of primary progressive aphasias via graphical markers.

AURÉLIE MOUTONAurélie Mouton is a Neurologist at The Memory Center in Nice, Institut Claude Pompidou in France, where she is in charge of consultations, diagnostics, prescriptions and follow-ups for people with memory or cognitive disorders. Her res… — AURÉLIE MOUTON
Aurélie Mouton is a Neurologist at The Memory Center in Nice, Institut Claude Pompidou in France, where she is in charge of consultations, diagnostics, prescriptions and follow-ups for people with memory or cognitive disorders. Her research interests are centred on early diagnosis of cognitive disorders and care strategies for people with dementia.

ALEXANDRE DERREUMAUXAlexandre Derreumaux currently works as engineer at the Nice University Hospital Memory Clinic, and at the Cobtek (Cognition, Behaviour, Technology) Research Lab at the University Côte d'Azur. — ALEXANDRE DERREUMAUX
Alexandre Derreumaux currently works as engineer at the Nice University Hospital Memory Clinic, and at the Cobtek (Cognition, Behaviour, Technology) Research Lab at the University Côte d'Azur.

Donations

If you would like to donate directly to the Massey University Foundation for MeDArT please follow the link below.

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Amelia Jenkinson

MASSEY UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
Amelia Jenkinson brings with her over 15 years of combined experience across marketing, strategic partnerships and sales from within the high-growth tech sector. Amelia is the Massey University Foundation Development Manager who is tasked with all fundraising initiatives and growing philanthropic support for the Medart project. Amelia is located in Palmerston North and is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of People Living with Dementia and research outcomes.

Contact us

If you want to make an enquiry or contact us for more information about participating in any of MeDArT’s programes or initiatives, please complete the form below and Emma Febvre-Richards will be in touch.

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Tony Hiles

Tony Hiles, one of our first and valued participants in our program was diagnosed with Dementia with Lewy Bodies in September 2018, and sadly passed away on the 6th of February 2021.
Tony’s legacy was to raise awareness and understanding of the disease, establishing his own website to document his experiences, which you can visit **here.**
Dementia with Lewy Bodies is similar to alzheimers disease in that it is caused by the degeneration and death of nerve cells in the brain. Lewy bodies are tiny protein deposits found in nerve cells and their presence disrupts the brain’s normal functioning, interrupting the action of important chemical messengers including acetylcholine and dopamine. Dementia with Lewy Bodies is more common in men, and is thought to contribute to 25-30% of all dementia diagnosis’. (**Dementia NZ**)

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