The Tingey Painting with Parkinson’s Program has harnessed the power of art to lessen symptoms and increase the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients. Nancy Tingey started the program in 1994 in Australia and has since reached national recognition. Thanks to the Dixon Gallery & Gardens education department and 901 Parkinson’s Fighters, this program has made its way to Memphis and Dixon is the only U.S. organization to adopt the Tingey approach. Public programs coordinator Lacy Mitcham works directly with Tingey to produce a smooth running and effective experience for students.
Shawna White serves as the instructor for these weekly classes and often begins with a few words to inspire students. Recently they learned about Fauvism, which was a short-lived art movement that embraced bold colors and spontaneous brushwork. During the painting process, they listen to live classical piano courtesy of Gerald Stephens. The Dixon team does a fabulous job of creating a safe and relaxing experience for students so they can fully dive into their work.
Each painting from this program shares a distinct characteristic. Students start with a wet piece of paper that feathers with each paintbrush stroke. White explains that it’s easy to control what paint does when paper is dry, but when it’s wet, things don’t always go to plan. As she says, “This form of painting is all about letting go of control and letting paint flow on the paper.” In the absence of control, the outcome is still beautiful and that can be a real comfort.
People with Parkinson’s can experience tremors, stiff muscles, and many more symptoms that greatly impact day-to-day life. This form of painting can be helpful for mental and physical fluidity. Having a space to socialize and make connections with people going through similar struggles is a huge benefit for their mental health as well. It also allows for self-expression and clear communication. White says, “Sometimes we don’t have the words to describe things, and art has the power to do that.”
All education programs at the Dixon are low cost or completely free. The Tingey Painting with Parkinson’s Program lasts about six to nine weeks, and by the end, students choose their most beautiful and most meaningful piece of art and present their thoughts to the class.
While their last class of the cohort ended on March 4th, they’ll begin again on March 25th. Simply go to https://www.dixon.org/events/event/65035/2026/02/25 to register. And as a reminder, this disease doesn’t just affect the patient, but also their caregivers who work tirelessly for them. If you need support, go to https://www.901parkinsonsfighters.com/.
THE TINGEY PAINTING WITH PARKINSON’S PROGRAM, DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS, 4339 PARK AVENUE, WEEKLY WEDNESDAYS, 10 A.M.-NOON.