Local artist brings joy to Sussex County seniors through art

When local artist Phoebe Canakis started caring for her mother after she was diagnosed with dementia, she saw how making art served her mom as an emotional outlet.

“For her, it was very relaxing and very peaceful,” Canakis said. “There wasn’t anything to think about, there wasn’t any kind of conversation she had to come up with, there weren’t answers or pressure. She could just sit and create. And that was very meaningful to watch.”

Since her mother’s passing in 2023, Canakis has continued to use art to bring seniors and those with memory loss together to connect and express themselves.

Over the past several months, she has been leading art projects at CHEER senior centers around Sussex County, prompting folks to depict what brings them joy.

With artwork from 50 or so participants, Canakis has curated Still Blooming: A Senior Art Exhibit. The one-day show will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Developing Artist Collaboration studios. 

“It was amazing to watch everyone create something so unique,” Canakis said. “Everyone had a story.” 

One man shared that he was never allowed to create art in school because he had dyslexia, so this was the first art piece he’d ever made.

A woman said she’s found it impossible to sit down and do anything creative after she lost her daughter a few years ago, because of missing her so much. For this project, she created a piece dedicated to her daughter.

“For me, it’s about allowing people to disconnect from any potential daily stress or things that weigh them down,” Canakis said. “It gives you a space to quiet your mind.”

Beyond the artwork itself, a big part of the project has been bringing folks together, allowing them to sit and connect with each other. That connection, she said, is invaluable.

Participant Paula Oronson believes socializing and being creative are important for seniors’ brain health. Canakis’ project, she said, encouraged her and others to be creative and share their stories.

Terri Lawson, another participant, said, “Art is therapeutic — good for my grief journey, even though it hurts.”

Indeed, many board-certified art therapists have found through clinical work and research there are numerous benefits art can provide for seniors and people with memory loss.

According to Dr. Raquel Stephenson, a Lesley University professor and former Fulbright Scholar who serves on the National Institutes of Health’s National Advisory Council on Aging, making art can help people with memory loss feel happier, more connected and less isolated.

Having the opportunity to share the seniors’ work in an open forum is exciting, Canakis said. At least 20 of the artists are expected to attend.

Aside from the senior art exhibit, Canakis runs dementiasupportdelaware.com, a website to help people with dementia and their loved ones in Sussex County find the support they need.

“When any person who has a loved one with dementia starts to provide support to that loved one, you realize very quickly it can feel like you’re under water,” Canakis said. “You’re watching your loved one disappear slowly in front of your eyes. It’s beyond overwhelming.”

The site offers a comprehensive list of resources in Sussex County for people with dementia and their loved ones — offering a central information hub Canakis wishes had existed when she first started caring for her mother. It has information about local daytime activities, in-home care, residential facilities, hospice and palliative care, caregiver support, medical and legal support, and more.

“Who my mom was was always there, but her confusion and loss of independence was heartbreaking,” she said. “Are we our memories, our mobility or wellness? Memories became fluid, but the feeling my mom had with me never changed. She may have forgotten my name, but she didn’t forget that I was her safe space, and she was loved.”