BAKER CITY — Leah Reid lines up the bright bottles of dye and grabs a dark blue.

With a careful squeeze of the plastic bottle, dye starts seeping across the tightly wrapped white T-shirt.

“I’m so excited I got to do this before I die — it was on my bucket list,” she said with a smile, her eyes never leaving her creation. “When I tell my friends, they’re going to be so jealous.”

Reid, 77, had the chance to try tie-dye on Jan. 21 at Creative Connections, a new monthly art program at Crossroads Carnegie Art Center in Baker City.

Dementia Friendly Baker County, along with Crossroads, received a Rural Older Adults mini grant from the Oregon Health Authority to offer Creative Connections once a month. The grant was open to programs that “support social engagement among isolated rural and remote older adults” with activities that “increase social connection and decrease isolation for a suicide-safer Oregon.”

The first session was Jan. 21. Attendees had three art stations to try — tie-dye, polymer clay sculpting and painting masks.

The next session is Tuesday, Feb. 18, starting at 1 p.m. at Crossroads, 2020 Auburn Ave. in Baker City. Activities will include paper crafts, painting and polymer clay.

Looking ahead, March 18 features chair yoga, and the April 15 activity is flower mandalas.

Supplies and refreshments are provided. Participation is free.

Dementia Friendly Baker County was founded in 2022 to help people with dementia live independently for as long as possible. The organization has monthly Education and Connection meetings that cover topics related to dementia, as well as a support group for care partners that meets twice a month.

Creative Connections is designed for people with dementia and care partners, as well as people with intellectual disabilities and the general public, said Beth Mastel-Smith, who helped start Dementia Friendly Baker County.

This combination of participants is a key part of the program, she said.

“Hopefully they’ll get a broader understanding of dementia,” she said.

The grant funds 10 monthly programs and an exhibition at Crossroads, as well as training in dementia education and communication skills for the art instructors.

The various art activities were developed with input from local instructors as well as Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel, Alzheimer’s advocate, author and artist.

Those who need a ride to Creative Connections can make an advance reservation through Community Connection by calling 541-523-6591.

Dementia Friendly Baker County offers an Education and Connection session once a month to share information related to dementia, as well as a support group for care partners.

The care partner support group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St. in Baker City. The next meeting is Feb. 19.

The next Education and Connection event is Feb. 27, 1:30 p.m., at Community Connection. The topic is “Typical vs. Atypical Aging, Part 1” presented by Lessie Dickinson and Linda Hudson, Positive Approach to Care certified trainers.