01 June 2018

BTO Solicitors sponsored exhibition taking place in Edinburgh 1-4 June 2018.

Scottish arts charity Art in Healthcare is presenting an exciting and unique exhibition of work by high profile, mid-career and newly emerging Scottish artists at the Arusha Gallery on Dundas Street in Edinburgh from today until 4 June. With support from its sponsor, leading Scottish law firm BTO Solicitors LLP, the charity has also organised a dementia-friendly tour of the exhibition. The tour, taking place on Monday 4 June at 1.30pm, will be led by one of Art in Healthcare’s artists who is skilled and experienced in working with people affected by dementia.

Left to right: Margaret O'Connor, Chief Executive of Art in Healthcare, Lesley Gordon, Family Law Partner, BTO Solicitors LLP and Vice Chair of Art in Healthcare, John Wilson, Chair, Art in Healthcare and Leo du Feu, Artist.

Art in Healthcare transforms Scottish healthcare settings with its extensive art collection, supports artists and provides art workshops in a wide range of care environments. The charity is based in Edinburgh but serves the whole of Scotland. Feedback from patients, residents and staff has shown that displays of art make a real difference, impacting positively on their general health and wellbeing. A current focus of Art in Healthcare is the development of its services for people affected by dementia; Margaret O’Connor, Chief Executive of Art in Healthcare, commented:

“Most people with a dementia diagnosis will experience memory difficulties and problems with thinking. Their needs will change as their disease progresses and their loved ones and carers will be affected by this change too. Everyday skills can be affected, such as cooking and driving, and the opportunity to develop some new skills through art can have a really positive impact on self-esteem."

“The annual exhibition is an important contributor to our fundraising and would not be possible without the support of the artists and our sponsor, BTO Solicitors LLP. In addition to the exhibition and the dementia-friendly tour of the exhibition, BTO is also supporting a programme of work with Hillside View Care home in Paisley to install works of art from Art in Healthcare’s collection and work with staff at the care home and BTO personnel to develop a programme of art workshops for the residents.”

Alan Borthwick, BTO’s Chairman, said:

"We are delighted to sponsor Art in Healthcare for a third year. It is also very important to us as a business to support the social dimension of Art in Healthcare's work, including the dementia friendly tour and planned workshops. Our support is financial and we are also getting involved with a corporate social responsibility programme which will provide our staff with the opportunity to gain 'hands on' experience of improving health and wellbeing benefits for people affected by dementia."

At this weekend’s fundraising exhibition, artists will be selling works of art to support the charitable work of Art in Healthcare. Artists featuring in the exhibition include the charity’s Patrons Barbara Rae and Victoria Crowe, and many others including: Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham, Ade Adesina, Briony Anderson, Carolyn Burchell, Sheila Chapman, Leo du Feu, Paul Furneaux, Anne Forte, Olivia Irvine, Trevor Jones, Sarah Knox, Andrew Mackenzie, Gillian Murray, Hannah Mooney, Gordon Mitchell and David Michie. With the aim of opening up art to everyone, Art in Healthcare will be running an ‘Own Art’ scheme to make art more accessible to all via the facility to pay for purchases over a ten month interest free period.

Related links: Art in Healthcare