Inspired by her grandmothers, a Naples high school student creates “Drawing for Dementia”

As she drove home with her father, Gabi Boyd began to think. She had just visited her grandmother who had Alzheimer’s disease and gave her a work of art. The joy they both received in return made Gabi want to help others feel the same way. “It was always something special that she really enjoyed,” Gabi said. Both of her grandmothers suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Gabi decided to start a club at Naples High School called “Drawing for Dementia.” It began as an effort to create personalized artwork for people with memory disorders. It now includes in-person visits during which students complete art projects with seniors. “Even though we’re here to draw, it’s really not about coloring,” Gabi said. “It’s about the connection between generations.” More than twenty students attend club sessions, which often take place on weekends or after school. “Even though I don’t remember the two hours we spent there, that connection was still there and that joy was still there,” Gabi said. Gabi is now a senior at Naples High School and plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall.