On Friday 31 May we’re holding a fundraiser with all proceeds going to our Art at the Kitchen Table programme, which supports older people living in Waterford City and County to make art in their own homes.  We’re calling on all our supporters and anyone who would like to know more to join us at Ardkeen Quality Foodstore and create a portrait, maybe win a prize and support a great cause.  We’ll be there from 10am-5pm.  Our heartfelt thanks to all at Ardkeen Stores and our fantastic Fundraising Committee for their tremendous support. Art at the Kitchen Table reduces isolation and promotes connection, joy and creativity, and is delivered by Waterford Healing Arts in partnership with Waterford City and County Council Arts Office.  Read more here  Donations can also be made by clicking on this link: Donate Thank you....

Wildness, a stunning series of paintings by Marley Irish, will be exhibited on the Staff art Wall at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) until the 17 July 2024. Marley Irish has been nursing for 41 years and currently works in the Dermatology Department at UHW. Marley is also a prolific artist. Her work is inspired by the Impressionist Movement, especially the art of Edgar Degas. In Wildness, Marley’s latest exhibition, her vibrant colour palette evokes the untamed beauty of an awakening summer meadow. Marley takes inspiration from the countryside around her and seeks out the often hidden beauty in nature, most especially native wild flowers. Marley paints in her St. Ives Gallery in Slieverue, South Kilkenny. For further information see marleyirish.com. The Staff Art Wall is an initiative of Waterford Healing Arts which aims to celebrate the creativity of staff working at UHW by providing an opportunity to display their work at the hospital. If you work at UHW and would like to exhibit your art on the Staff Art Wall, please contact: (051) 842664 or wha@hse.ie. All artworks in the exhibition are for...

A Sense of Self, a new art exhibition by participants from the Iontas Arts and Mental Health Programme, will be on show at Dungarvan Library until 12 May 2024. This eclectic collection of artworks showcases the diverse range of individual styles and techniques within the group, and celebrates their remarkable achievements. Admission is free, all are welcome. A Sense of Self was created during a series of 12 weekly workshops which took place in 2023 at the Primary Care Centre in Dungarvan, facilitated by artist Kasia Pylyponko and Jennifer O’Mahoney, Senior Occupational Therapist with the Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services. Each participant created a mixed media self-portrait, the results of which form the exhibition. The Irish word for ‘wonder’ or ‘surprise’, the Iontas Arts and Mental Health Programme brings arts experiences, such as music, visual art, creative writing, storytelling and drama to people experiencing mental health issues, to support their wellbeing and recovery. Iontas is delivered by a team of skilled and experienced professional artists, in a range of settings across the community. Iontas is managed and delivered by Waterford Healing Arts, in partnership with Waterford Wexford Mental Health Services. Waterford Healing Arts brings arts experiences – music, visual art, creative writing and storytelling – to the bedside of patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings. This extensive arts and health programme is part of Réalta, the national resource organisation for Arts + Health in Ireland. Réalta is core funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. See www.waterfordhealingarts.com and...

We were delighted to welcome classical/trad solo guitarist Colin Harries to perform at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) last week, as part of our Sounds Good programme of live music.  Colin studied with Michael O’Toole at WIT (now SETU) for seven years, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Classical Music Performance in 2015.  Colin has played traditional Irish music for more years than he can remember, and he is also a composer, and guitar and ukulele tutor. Sounds Good is a monthly half hour of ambient music, performed in the busy main foyer of UHW.  Taking place at morning coffee time, Sounds Good aims to soothe the body and soul, and give welcome respite to patients, visitors and hospital staff.  Sounds Good is kindly supported by AIB Ardkeen. ENDS...

‘Another Life’, a beautiful series of images showcasing fashion designs by Ann Nolan will be exhibited at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) until the 15 May 2024. Ann Nolan joined the Waterford Healing Arts team in 2022 as Assistant Art Curator. Prior to this she ran her own business, designing and making knitwear. Ann went to college as a mature student, spending one year in the Grennan Mill Craft School in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, followed by a BA (Hons) in Textiles at West Wales School of the Arts.  She subsequently worked in London with Wallace & Sewell Studio and Ptolomy Mann Studio. Having completed a Master of Fine Art (MFA) at Rhode School of Design (RISD) in Rhode Island, USA, Ann worked in New York for GAP Clothing and Scott Bodenner Design Studio. She was then invited back to teach textile design at RISD. Ann returned to Ireland in 2007 and joined the Workhouse Studios in Kilmacthomas, County Waterford. She subsequently completed her second BA (Hons), this time in Fashion Knitwear & Textiles at Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD). The Staff Art Wall is an initiative of Waterford Healing Arts which aims to celebrate the creativity of staff working at UHW by providing an opportunity to display their work at the hospital. If you work at UHW and would like to exhibit your art on the Staff Art Wall, please contact: (051) 842664 or wha@hse.ie.  ...