Are you a budding artist? Submit your work and it could feature in our 2012 calendar

Following its popularity and success, we are inviting all budding artists to submit pieces of artwork or photography to feature in our 2012 calendar competition.

Alzheimer's Society calendar is a showcase of art and photography, contributed by people with dementia, their carers, and those close to them. Each artwork highlights the role creativity plays in people's lives; whether being inspired by a loved one, or art as a therapy - like the work of our 2011 cover artist Rex Marsden.

After a series of minor strokes, Rex was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and is one of 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK.

Rex first began painting a decade ago at the age of 57, as part of his therapy while recovering from a stroke. Reluctant at first, he started with landscapes, but was eventually inspired, joining a local art society where he discovered a hidden talent for painting buildings and portraits in the realist style.

Rex has become a compulsive painter; when one painting is completed and left to dry, another canvas is sketched out and painting begins again. Rex is ideally placed to feed his passion, being surrounded by the stunning views of the Lake District, where he lives with his caring wife, Carole.

Rex refuses to allow dementia to control his life - he knows the consequences, and is philosophical about it. Rex says, 'dementia is a predator you can't run away from, no matter how hard you try'.

What are we looking for?

If you know anybody who would like to participate in the 2012 Alzheimer's calendar competition, whether they are carers, enthusiastic supporters or are themselves, living with dementia, please do get in touch.
Both paintings and photographs are welcome.  There is no set theme for the calendar, so all types of artwork will be accepted, whether they are scenic landscapes, portraits, of something a little more abstract.  Ideally, we would like them to be submitted electronically, either as a Jpeg of Gif.  The deadline to submit an image is the 28 January 2011. 

Candidates will be notified by March 2011 whether their piece has been chosen to feature in the calendar.  

A copy of the image you wish to submit should be emailed to Michelle.Aimers@alzheimers.org.uk
Please note:  We would prefer that you do not send hard copies of your artwork so as to minimise postal costs on their return.

If you have any further enquiries, please contact Michelle Aimers on 020 7423 3684.