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February 6, 2026 (Perth, ON) - Art students at Perth & District Collegiate Institute (PDCI) have partnered with the Lanark Lodge to create an interactive mural designed specifically for residents in the Lodge’s dementia ward.
The project began when the Lanark Lodge reached out to the school, looking for a meaningful way to enhance shared spaces for their residents. After a class discussion, students brainstormed ideas that would be aesthetically pleasing, age-appropriate, and interactive. Together, they refined their concepts and began designing a series of large painted backdrops paired with movable magnetic elements that residents could rearrange and personalize.
All aspects of the project were tied to Grade 11 Visual Arts course curriculum, with students moving through the creative process in partnership with the Lodge, exploring the principals of design, establishing common styles/techniques, and producing the work to meet the needs of the residents.
The result is four thoughtfully designed wall hangings with individual scenes:
- A train station, created for a new train-themed area in the Lodge’s main hall;
- Three large windows, where residents can swap out flower vases, bouquets, and wall paintings;
- Two houses, both inspired by local architecture, with magnetic pieces that change with the seasons; and
- A market street featuring a bakery, candy shop, and florist—named after local businesses that may be familiar to many residents.
Each design encourages interaction, memory recall, and conversation.
The in-school collaboration extended beyond the art class, with the Grade 10 Technology class playing a vital role by cutting out the shapes for the movable pieces. They also built wall-mounted boxes that store the pieces and make them easily accessible for residents.
“The Lanark Lodge is thrilled with the results,” said Tara Legacy, the teacher leading this project.
Installation will take place in the coming months, and the success of the project has already sparked conversations about future collaborations.