Northern Michigan University’s DeVos Art Museum is partnering with community organizations on two arts-related events that benefit people with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. An arts therapy training session led by a nationally recognized expert will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the DeVos Art Museum. “Art in the Moment,” a pop-up show featuring the work of individuals living with a neurodegenerative conditions, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 11, at the Marquette Regional History Center.

The DeVos Museum is sponsoring a training session on utilizing the arts as therapy for people with Alzheimer's and/or dementia. Angel Duncan will lead the program. As director of research education and a clinician at Neuropsychiatric Research Center of Southwest Florida, she is involved in global, clinical research trials for Alzheimer’s disease. Duncan also serves as executive arts director at Cognitive Connections and previously directed a national art therapy program at the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Angel is quite an expert on this topic and has trained museum volunteers around the country,” said Melissa Matuscak Alan, director of the DeVos Art Museum. “We will have 10 people from the museum’s volunteer docent program as well as other community members who will attend this training. Our goal with this is to have people trained so that the museum can offer an ongoing tour program for patients.”

Attendance for the public is $75 per person. The deadline to register is Monday, April 30.

The “Art in the Moment” show is a fundraiser event benefitting Lake Superior Adult Day Services. Ashley Krussell, an NMU graduating senior, worked with the program to take photos of the artists while they made their work. Art work will be available for purchase. Hors d’oeuvres and wine will be provided. Duncan will give a short presentation at the event and Mayor Dave Campana will make a declaration for that day being Adult Services Day.

For more information, call 227-1481 or email mmatusca@nmu.edu.