Cathee Stegall

Located just over the Hilton Head Island bridge on the north end of Hilton Head sits a building with the words Memory Matters proudly displayed on the outside. Although the exterior of the building is somewhat non-descript, immediate warmth waits inside, along with some of the most fascinating people you will ever meet. These individuals have the biggest hearts, the most incredible stories, and wonderful artistic talents. Memory Matters is a center of excellence that provides daycare programs, support services, and education for individuals with Alzheimer's or all forms of dementia and their families.

Our cover artist this month, Cathee Stegall is one of the Memory Matters Program Directors who has made it her job and passion to bring the freedom and benefits of art to the members of the organization. As a long-time artist herself, Cathee has been recognizing the therapeutic benefits of art since she first picked up a paintbrush at the age of six. Although her work began with oil portraits of animals and landscapes, several years ago she found her niche when she discovered mixed media art through a paper art magazine called Somerset Studio.

Since then, Cathee has seen her work come to life and feels an emotional connection to many of the individuals she creates. Referring to this month's cover piece, Cathy said, "I call her my blue-haired girl; she reminds me of a flapper! I love the era of elegant ladies. You can just tell they have a story. All my girls are vintage; her dress is made of mulberry and music paper and her necklace is a piece of old jewelry. There is nothing I won't reuse."

Cathee also finds "art-therapy" in the form of art blogging. She loves checking out other artists' blogs for inspiration and gaining feedback from her own art blog. She also fulfills her creativity and passion through encouraging art among the individuals she interacts with at Memory Matters, and watching it make a difference in many of their lives. She has done immense research on the benefits of art in individuals with dementia, and considers the programs she has implemented at Memory Matters to be state-of-the-art. "We are all born with natural abilities for creativity and art. Often as we 'grow up' we lose sight of our creative and artistic selves. For the person with dementia, finding that creative self again can be life-changing. For the caregiver it can be found moments of fun and joy," Cathee said.

This month, Memory Matters will hold their 12th Annual Art Expo on September 22nd from 6-8 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church. The free expo will feature a silent auction with works from Memory Matters participants and other local artists, as well as a craft corner with handcrafted items for sale, and a spread of wine and hors de'oeuvres. This event is very near and dear to Cathee's heart as it gives the participants an opportunity to showcase their talents in a benefit that raises the funds necessary to keep the organization alive so they can continue making a difference in people's lives.

For more information on Cathee's work or Memory Matters, feel free to give her a call at 843-842-6688 or check out her blog: catartnsoul.blogspot.com.