Center for the Arts Explores Dementia and Alzheimer’s Through Photography and Dialogue (Powerful Photo Exhibit by Susan Sidebottom and Panel Discussion)

New London, NH — The Center for the Arts’ August HuManities Monday program invites the public to a moving and insightful evening exploring the realities of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease through the lens of photography and professional experience.

“As If Nothing Is Wrong,” a compelling photo exhibit by acclaimed visual storyteller Susan Sidebottom, will be on view, followed by a dynamic panel discussion featuring experts from Dartmouth Health, NAMI New Hampshire, and Colby-Sawyer College. This special event will take place on Monday, August 18, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at Gordon Hall, Colby-Sawyer College.

“This is a perfect example of how the arts can offer a way to address and discuss challenging and even taboo topics that we all encounter. It is a special opportunity for our community to come together to learn, be inspired, and find encouragement.” – Executive Director, Dena Stahlheber

Sidebottom’s photographic work, deeply rooted in empathy and community engagement, captures intimate moments that reflect the resilience of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as the impact on their families. Her art offers a poignant, human-centered entry point into conversations around memory loss, caregiving, and structural inequality.

Featured Photographer:

Susan Sidebottom (American, 1968) is a photographer and visual storyteller known for her socially engaged projects. With degrees in journalism and speech communications from UNC Chapel Hill and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Sidebottom’s work has been featured in LensCulture, NPR, and Bloomberg Businessweek. She has exhibited at The Levine Museum of the New South, Art Center Sarasota, and more. Her latest series, As If Nothing Is Wrong, earned her the prestigious Jamie Tuttle Fellowship.

Expert Panelists:

The panel discussion following the exhibit will feature leaders and experts in their field to comment on the latest research and emotional support tools for those impacted by Alzheimer/dementia.

Kenneth Dolkart, MD – Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and geriatric specialist with over two decades of experience in aging and elder care advocacy.

Julie Nicknair-Keon, LCMHC, NCC – Director of Baird Health and Counseling Center at Colby-Sawyer College and a licensed clinical counselor with more than 30 years of experience in mental health, grief, and caregiver support.

Meredith Kolodze, DSW, LICSW – Program Manager at NAMI NH, with a focus on older adults, provides training and education on mental health awareness and family support.

This free event presents a rare opportunity to experience the transformative power of art as a medium for empathy, understanding, and dialogue, accompanied by an informative panel discussion featuring experts from Dartmouth Health, NAMI, and Colby-Sawyer College. The community is encouraged to attend and participate in this timely conversation about one of the most pervasive health challenges of our time.

Note: Please proceed with care, as the subject matter in this panel and exhibit may be difficult for those whose lives have been impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Event Details:

What: As If Nothing Is Wrong – Photo Exhibit & Panel on Dementia and Alzheimer’s

When: Monday, August 18, 2025 | 6:00–7:30 PM

Where: Gordon Hall, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH

Admission: Free and open to the public