Award-winning Florida artist, Craig Todd, creates original paintings in oil that capture the breadth and beauty of creation in landscapes, portraits and inspirational paintings. Craig’s “painterly realistic” style not only captures the visual essence of the subject, but the emotion of the moment as well. Todd said, “I believe the role of an artist in its purest form, is to explore and express through the creative process, what moves them.” He lives and works in Riverview with his wife of 25 years, glass jewelry artist, Lori Todd.
With his background, Craig, a certified Mneme therapist, is the facilitator of Art Without Boundaries at The Bridges, located at 11202 Dewhurst Dr. C in Riverview. Mneme Therepy® uses everyday pleasures such as singing, movement, painting and storytelling in a unique combination to stimulate dramatic changes in the brain. Although the goal is to provide a rewarding experience, documented testimonies show significant improvement in some patients in verbal skills, mobility, combativeness, spatial acuity and understanding instructions.
Art Without Boundaries utilizes the art of painting to help residents with cognitive impairment find new ways of learning through improved attentiveness, increased coordination and impulse control and the end result is a truly beautiful work of art.
Following an initial informational meeting about Craig’s program that was attended by both family members and staff, he has been making visits to The Bridges twice monthly working with a number of residents. The cost to the resident or family is $25 a session. The end result of a 30-minute private session has produced not only a wonderful keepsake for the resident and family, but an experience that compares with little else.
Donna Steiermann, Executive Director at The Bridges said, “Residents look forward to spending quality time engaged in this activity that goes beyond “arts and crafts.’”
The Bridges will be having a Spring Art Show on Thursday, April 3 from 4-7 p.m. in the Cambridge Clubhouse at 11350 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview featuring paintings, greeting cards, stenciled nature wall art and sand art by the residents. There will also be a painting demonstration by Craig as well as hors d’oeuvres and beverages. For more information about the show, call 413-8900. For more information about Art Without Boundaries, visit www.artwithoutboundaries.org.
