This is why the team at Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) have put their hearts into creating an accessible program that promotes conversations, connection and creativity for members of their community.

The Arts & Dementia program is a tour of MRAGs exhibitions, followed by a creative art session drawing inspiration from the exhibits.

The sessions aim to provide an activity that people living with dementia and their carers can do together, while promoting social connection with others going through similar circumstances.

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Bob and Jill Hannan have been attending the sessions for years now, and said it's been very helpful, especially socially.

"For the carers it is just wonderful to come see other carers and you know that you're not alone in dealing with some of these problems, and you can chat about things," Mrs Hannan said.

"Sometimes you think you're quite alone in this but actually there are miles of people doing it, and coming here reassures you about that."

Mr Hannan said he has found the program very helpful.

"Whenever we can come, we come. It's lovely," he said.

Mr and Mrs Hannan said they love going home and showing their family their wonderful creations after each session.

The art created could be anything from weaving and watercolours to working with natural materials.

Liss Finney, program facilitator, said Art & Dementia is great for socialising, and the groups get to learn about the exhibits and about each other.

"I think it's important because it creates accessibility to various different people who might not otherwise come into the gallery, and it gives them an opportunity to engage with the gallery and the art making process," she said.

MRAG received funding from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice to continue their program in 2022, and have used the grant to create a digital version of the program and increase the number of sessions per month.

The program goes for 90 minutes, three times per month and is created specifically for people living with dementia and their carers.

MRAG's learning and audience development curator, Michelle Maartensz, said participants can contribute knowledge, express themselves and summon back memories as art and imagination do not require memory.

The Art & Dementia program has been running since 2011 and has welcomed over 3000 socially isolated older people from the Hunter region in that time.

The sessions are free and all materials are provided, however capacity is limited.

The next session will be on Thursday, April 28, and the team at MRAG would love to welcome some fresh faces.

For more information and to book, visit: https://mrag.org.au/art-dementia-conversations-and-community-days/.

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