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Encouraging people to participate in the practice of making art is at the core of WHAT’s work. Participatory sessions with staff and patients not only help strengthen relationships between participants, but offer positive creative diversions during times of stress and anxiety.
The Art Kart is a brightly coloured medicine trolley which brings art materials to patients in the Paediatric, Psychiatric and Renal Dialysis units of Waterford Regional Hospital. These sessions with patients are led by an artist-facilitator, and have proven invaluable in enabling patients to develop their own creative resources.
A two hour Open Art Workshop takes place on a weekly basis in the Multi-use studio in the WHAT Centre for Arts & Health. Individuals are invited to come along and make art in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere on a once-off or ongoing basis. Materials are provided and no experience is necessary.
The opportunities for participating in the art process are not confined to visual arts but can also embrace music, dance and creative writing. The Music in Mental Health Settings Programme engages the clients and staff of the Mental Health Services in accessible, music making workshops.
A group of women meet on a weekly basis to produce long-stitch tapestries for display in the hospital and other healthcare settings. Works produced by the group include a large, four-panelled tapestry work entitled The River Story depicting the history of Waterford and a series of tapestries depicting the four seasons. Both now hang in Waterford Regional Hospital.
Making art is also facilitated through the Trust’s outreach projects which are carried out in partnership with other hospitals and healthcare organisations in the community.
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