The Central and Western Virginia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke have partnered in a program designed for people with memory disorders and those who care for them — and they need participants.

Called “Art Fusion,” the program encourages participants to use art as a starting point to talk about the emotional reactions and recollections.

Roanoke Symphony Orchestra will also be taking part by opening up one rehearsal a month to participants. A few volunteer musicians will speak to those who attend during a break.

“It’s based on the nationally acclaimed program the Museum of Modern Art has been doing for years,” said Sharon Celsor-Hughes, the chapter’s creative arts director. The “Meet Me at MoMA” project involves hour-long monthly gatherings in which trained volunteers lead art discussions and activities with Alzheimer’s patients.

Celsor-Hughes said she’s met with Taubman staff and volunteers to train them for the program. The first session is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. The RSO rehearsal session is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 30.

As of Sept. 18, though, no one had signed up for the program, which is free but requires registrations through the Alzheimer’s Association.

The sessions are not meant to be lessons in art history or criticism. The idea is to provide a positive atmosphere for dialogue about what the art evokes in its participants.

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