From Studio to Heart: The Healing Power of Art in the Face of Alzheimer’s

4 days ago
4 min read

The Postcard Art Exhibit proudly announces its 15th international exhibition, opening June 6, 2026 (6 juni 2026) at See Lab Project Space in The Hague, Netherlands. This year’s exhibition, curated by Dutch artist Tessa Maagdenberg, will support the Blijft-je-Bij art program at Museum Beelden aan Zee — a groundbreaking initiative for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Dear P.A.E. Artists,

First of all, I want to thank those who have registered for Postcard Art Exhibit 2026 — or for any of the former ones! You’re contributing to a large cause with a small piece of artwork, and that fills me with gratitude. I’m a firm believer that art carries a healing frequency, and I’ve experienced it firsthand.

About six years ago, my dad was tested and diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. My mom had suspected something wasn’t quite right a few years before that, but unless you live with someone, those subtle shifts can be easy to miss. When the diagnosis finally came, it was hard on him — but also a relief for us all, realizing that some of his changes were part of the illness, not who he was.

My dad, a proud and stubborn man who had spent his life teaching chemistry, physics, and math — and later became director of the Transport College in Rotterdam — wasn’t ready to accept help or attend daycare. But my mom needed a break, so we decided I would be one of his caretakers. Wednesdays became our day.

For the past six years, every Wednesday, I’ve picked up my dad and spent the day with him. We’d visit one of his siblings for coffee and lunch, and then head to my art studio in Scheveningen to make art together.

Tessa Maagdenberg's father painting in Tessa's studio.

In the beginning, he made his own wonderful drawings — a collection of colorful, abstract faces overlapping and interacting across the page. We also drew ships from photos of the Rotterdam harbor, a place close to his heart since he worked there all his life. Later, as drawing became more difficult, we turned to adult coloring books.

Eventually, those pages became confusing. He couldn’t see where a tree ended or a flower began. Often, he’d hand me the markers and say, “You choose the color,” pretending to give me the honor — still so clever in that way. Where he once drew happily for three hours, he could now manage about one.

When frustration crept in, I’d distract him by cutting out animals from nature magazines and making collages. We’d create silly scenes and name the characters — Freddie the Fox, Cleo the Cat — and invent stories around them. My dad had always been a storyteller; when my brother and I were little, he made up the best fairy tales. My kids remember his bedtime stories too — those same sparkles of imagination.

A few months ago, I noticed even the coloring books were becoming too hard. He would only join in if I started first — often with just one color. It was heartbreaking to see. Then, a few weeks ago, my dad fell down the stairs and ended up in the hospital. Miraculously, he escaped with just bruises, three stitches, and a neck brace — but it was clear he could no longer live at home.

Within a week, a room became available at the same care home where he had attended daycare. My brother and I moved his desk and favorite things there, and he went straight from the hospital to his new home.

Last year, as I watched my dad’s condition change, I began thinking about the Postcard Art Exhibit. I wasn’t sure at first — the idea of curating felt enormous. But after speaking with Robin Pedrero (a two-time curator), David, and Carole, I decided to go for it.

I knew right away that I wanted our 2026 charity to combine art and Alzheimer’s — because I’ve seen firsthand how healing art can be. Over the past six years, art has brought my dad comfort. He was often agitated or depressed when I picked him up, but on the drive home, he’d hum along to the music and tell me he’d had a wonderful day. That calm would carry through the next day, giving my mom some much-needed peace.

Around that time, I hosted a guest from the USA for a three-day intensive workshop. We went to the Beelden aan Zee museum to see the Henry Moore exhibition. In one of the rooms, I saw a short documentary that reminded me of their special art program for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

When my guest left, I wrote to the museum’s director to ask if they might consider becoming our charity partner. Beelden aan Zee is a private museum and relies on outside funding to run this program. And here we are — they said yes!

Our call for artists is open, registration has begun, and as I write this, 300 artists have already signed up! You can register at postcardartexhibit.com

I can’t wait to see your awesome cards arrive at my studio. I’ve found a beautiful project space for the exhibition near the beach — and whether or not the Dutch weather cooperates, we’ll have all your lovely pieces of art to warm our hearts.

After all, there is art in every heART. 💜

P.A.E. 26, let’s gooooo!

--Tessa

About the Cause

The Blijft-je-Bij program, inspired by the Meet Me at MoMA initiative in New York and Dutch programs such as Onvergetelijk Museum (Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam) and the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, invites participants and their caregivers to experience art together in a safe and inspiring space. Guided by specially trained educators, the program focuses on shared discovery and open conversation — helping participants reconnect through memory, emotion, and creativity.