Art that helps- Above: Mick DeeProse shows his bright painting of a cockatoo at The Old Cheese Factory.

By Lia Bichel
BEAUTIFUL artwork by a local Painting With Parkinson’s group is on display at The Old Cheese Factory, Berwick.
More than 15 people are part of the group, which began in 2006 and is one of six in the state.
Group Leader, Anne Atkin, who has Parkinson’s disease, said the group was important because it was therapeutic and provided a great opportunity to socialise.
“Parkinson’s is a central nervous system disease, so when you are doing something procreative, it helps you to relax,” she said.
Ms Atkin, a former art teacher, said most people in the group did not have an artistic background before joining, but still found the class enjoyable.
She said the work created was beautiful and had surprised many visitors at the exhibition.
“Many people who sign the visitors book comment on how they didn’t realise how good it was going to be and how high the standard of art is,” Ms Atkin said.
“People with Parkinson’s see colour a bit differently than other people because of the medication- so a lot of the work is bright and luminous.”
The free exhibit will run until tomorrow (29 April) from noon until 5pm at The Old Cheese Factory, Homestead Road, Berwick.
Painting With Parkinson’s meets every Wednesday morning at The Old Cheese Factory from 10am until noon. For more information contact Anne Atkin on 0409 188 317.