Canberra Parkinson's patients get art therapy through painting program

For a group of 15 budding artists who meet there every Friday it can also be somewhere they can get some much-needed relief.

Painting with Parkinson's is a group aimed at providing art therapy to Canberra residents living with the disease.

As well as providing a space for those affected by the neurological condition to express their own creativity, the program also acts as a form of physical therapy.

Co-ordinator of the program, John Pratt, who is also part of the organisation Parkinson's ACT, said there were many benefits in simply coming together and painting.

"People find when they are immersed in creative practices that their movements are enhanced and there's not the type of freezing up that often happens with Parkinson's," he said.

"There's also a certain immersion in an activity that provides engagement and it's also self-affirming, it helps the patients psychologically."

Participants begin each session with physical exercises and meditation, before focusing on a theme for the week that will form the basis of their eventual art works.

Mr Pratt said those involved usually create between two to four small works over the course of a morning.

"They're usually more abstract than figurative or landscape," he said.

"Most often it's watercolour on wet paper, and the materials tend to encourage the imagination. They will move, and that in itself will promote engagement from each participant."

The painters often have a source of musical inspiration while they're creating , with a member of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra providing a soundtrack once a month.

"The music acts as a sort of catalyst," Mr Pratt said.

"There's a certain elation that comes with the involvement in those activities, and anything that has excitement and enhanced emotional state in those art practices is really positive for the people involved."

Painting with Parkinson's has been running out of the gardens since 1994. It was started by artist Nancy Tingey, whose husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's.

While the initiative has grown over the more than two decades it's been operating, Mr Pratt said one thing that hadn't changed was its approach towards Parkinson's patients.

The group of artists is already working towards an exhibition to be held in July at the botanic gardens.