SPARK! Memory Loss Program | Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass

SPARK! Memory Loss Program

What is SPARK!?

SPARK! is a cultural program for people with early- to mid-stage memory loss and their care partners. SPARK! is located in museums, galleries, nature centers, and cultural venues across the United States and continues to expand into new communities.

SPARK! was originally inspired by the  Meet Me at MOMA program, a successful outreach effort at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and has continued to grow and foster engagement activities using sensory stimulants combined with visual art conversations, music, poetry,  hands-on art-making, movement, and creative performances. The inception of SPARK! began with a grant from The Helen Bader Foundation (now Bader Philanthropies Inc.) in 2009. The Bader Foundation’s Alzheimer’s and Aging program aims to make Wisconsin a leader, not just in how challenges posed by this disease are addressed, but in how growing older and the later stages of life are viewed. Through an emphasis on program development, applied research, and public policy, Bader Philanthropies strives to offer hope to families struggling with Alzheimer’s.

SPARK! programs welcome care partners to stay actively engaged in their communities while joining peers to experience art, culture, and nature in a comfortable environment with specially trained staff and volunteers. SPARK! programs typically last 60-90 minutes and group sizes average 20-25 participants. Attending a SPARK! program provides care partners an opportunity to be together IN THE MOMENT. The programs are not reminiscent nor do they rely on recalling memories, but rather focus on observations, conversations, and creative experiences. There are a variety of programs to fit every interest and comfort level. From art-making, singing, and drama to museum discussions, performances, and cooking – SPARK! offers something for everyone.

Q: When are SPARK! programs held at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass?

A: Every second Tuesday of the month from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

SPARK! programming is being underwritten by Bader Philanthropies.

Upcoming SPARK! Programs

Picasso Faces

Tuesday, February 13th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Discover the world of artist Pablo Picasso through a fused glass self portrait.  Learn Picasso’s significance in art history. Your fused glass self portraits will be inspired by Picasso’s expressive style. 

 

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

pot o’ gold

Tuesday, March 12th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Follow the rainbow to the pot o’ gold at our St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Join us as we decorate our own St. Patrick’s Day pot o’ gold. Once our pot is decorated, we will fill it with our favorite gold treat. More shenanigans and laughs to be had.

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658.

PEEP HOUSES

Tuesday, April 9th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Create a cozy little home for your favorite (or least favorite) treat, the Peep. Using all food items, we will use our own creativity to craft our peep homes. Peeps have been a marshmallow confection treat since 1953 that is now produced in multiple forms including, chicks, bunnies, pumpkins and trees. 

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

SPRINGTIME BUDDIES

Tuesday, May 14th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Bunnies are a sure sign of springtime in Wisconsin. To celebrate springtime and bunnies, we will be making sock bunnies. Use this sock bunny as a cute decoration for your home or as a gift to another.  

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

A THOUSAND FLOWER BANDANAS

Tuesday, June 11th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

A significant portion of our paperweight collection are millefiori paperweights. “Millefiori” means “a thousand flowers” in Italian. We’ll use these paperweights as inspiration to design bandanas. We will be designing with the students from our kids camps for a multigenerational experience.  

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

OLYMPIC GAMES

Tuesday, July 9th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Did you know that art once was an olympic sport? Join us as we prepare for the 2024 summer Olympics in Paris through historical discussion, laughter and of course games! Prizes awarded for competing in Bergstrom Mahler of Museum’s version of Olympic games. 

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

DONUTS GO NUTS!

Tuesday, August 13th

10:30-11:30 AM, Snacks to follow till Noon

FREE– Registration requested – Space is limited

Donuts can be traced back to Ancient Rome and continues to be an enjoyable treat for most. Join us as we decorate our own donuts, play donut themed games and more. We promise you will have a nutty time! 

Register at the bottom of this page, or call 920-751-4658

SPARK! Registration Form

Which SPARK! session will you be attending? You may check as many as you like at this time. You can also come back and register for future dates later. Only check a box if you plan to attend that date. This helps us plan our sessions for the right size audience. Thank you!

NOTE: There will be a slight delay and then a confirmation that your registration was sent. Thank you!