PRESS RELEASE
FAMED LOCAL ARTIST TO CREATE MURAL COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, caretakers and family members form “The Alzheimer’s Project” to generate awareness for the disease
Group to begin work on the mural at kick-off event on Monday, August 6 at 10:30 AM, Miami
In an effort to forever anchor the gifts and personalities left behind by the victims of Alzheimer’s, a representative group of individuals, including early-stage Alzheimer’s patients family members and caretakers, are teaming up with internationally acclaimed local artist Xavier Cortada to create a mural commemorating those afflicted with the debilitating disease.
Cortada and the group – called “The Alzheimer’s Project” – are set to begin work on the mural at an event to be held on Monday, August 6th, at 10:30 AM at the artist’s studio, located at the Casa Grande Cultural Center, 104 SW 9th Street in Miami (click here for map). The group, led by Roy Barquet, a Miami attorney who lost his mother to Alzheimer’s, will assist Cortada in the first step of the mural’s creation by affixing personalized messages, which have been collected over several months by South Florida’s Alzheimer’s community, onto the canvas.
With the creation of the Alzheimer’s mural, we hope to forever cement the beauty and joy that those afflicted with the disease gave to the world when they were well,” said Barquet, a partner at Miami-based law firm Steel Hector & Davis. “The goal in creating this mural is to make a positive statement, letting the world know that these Alzheimer’s victims might be gone, but the love and happiness they brought to their friends and families will never be forgotten.
Cortada himself has spent the past four months immersed in the Alzheimer’s cause in preparation for this artistic creation that will be publicly unveiled in Miami on October 4th. The Miami-based Cuban-American artist, attorney, and activist has worked collaboratively with diverse groups across the United States, Latin America, Europe and Africa to create pro-social community murals and participant-driven art projects. His Web site (www.cortada.com) displays his artwork and contains information on the various projects in which he is involved.
The Alzheimer’s Project, led by Barquet, is actively working to raise funds and ultimately awareness in combating this deadly disease. Aside from solidifying corporate sponsors, including Discovery Networks, Steel Hector & Davis, Weber Shandwick Worldwide and B-Line Apparel, to help underwrite and promote the mural and corresponding events, the group has organized bi-weekly breakfasts and lunches at Steel Hector & Davis, where home-cooked meals are sold within the firm. To date, the group’s efforts have helped raise more than $5,000, with all proceeds benefiting the Greater Miami Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
For further information on how to contribute to the creation of the Alzheimer’s mural or become a corporate sponsor, contact Roy Barquet of The Alzheimer’s Project at Steel Hector & Davis at (305) 577-7032.
Media Contact: Tadd Schwartz
Weber Shandwick Worldwide/ Miami
Tschwartz@webershandwick.com
Work: 305-448-7450, x125
Mobile: 305-898-7995
These pictures documenting the creation of the Alzheimer’s collaborative mural were taken at Xavier Cortada’s studio on August 6, 2001.
Call for Community Messages for the Alzheimer's mural
Xavier Cortada, well-known Miami artist, has been commissioned by volunteers at Steel Hector & Davis law firm, to develop a mural that will commemorate and celebrate the lives and the impact of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Spearheaded by Roy Barquet, Esq., who lost his Mother to Alzheimer’s, the mural will feature positive memories and experiences that live on in everyone whose lives are touched or have been touched by an Alzheimer’s individual – the legacy of their lives. This extraordinary initiative is dedicated to the Greater Miami Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and its tireless work on behalf of anyone who seeks help.
Mr. Cortada will incorporate testimony from caregivers and early stage Alzheimer’s individuals into the body of the mural to offer a reflection on the Alzheimer’s experience with a positive emphasis. If you are a caregiver or individual with early to mid stage Alzheimer’s disease and can contribute a message or memory to the 9’ x 4’ work that will travel throughout Miami Dade and Monroe Counties and beyond, please follow the instructions below or visit the artist’s website for a detailed description of the process.
Use a plain white piece of paper, torn, not cut, into a piece that does not exceed 3″ x 4″ (see examples below). Using a permanent ink fine point Sharpie pen or other permanent ink marker (standard ball point pens smudge), put your message on the paper. It may be a memory of your loved one’s interests or it may be a message that your loved one expressed in his or her lifetime or in the course of the disease. Let it represent what you want to express on a major piece of art that celebrates the lives of Alzheimer’s individuals. For example, perhaps your loved one wrote poetry – submit a poem they wrote; perhaps they enjoyed crossword puzzles – attach a small crossword puzzle; perhaps your loved one made especially great apple pie – submit the favorite recipe. Or share your own memory or thought.
Return your item to the Chapter office no later than July 6, 2001. About 300 items will be used in this mural. For further information about the mural project visit http://www.cortada.com/projects/2001/alz.htm or contact:
Greater Miami Area Alzheimer’s Association
1175 N.E. 125 Street, Suite 600
North Miami, FL 33161-5013
Phone: 305-891-6228
