Fragments of Motifs in Nature, a captivating new exhibition by artist Rica Shimabukuro, has opened at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) to coincide with the launch of the Well Festival of Arts & Wellbeing. The exhibition features the Limerick Triptych, a stunning three-panel artwork showcasing local scenes from Limerick. Meticulously crafted by hand, this intricate piece was created using a delicate papercutting technique. On view on the corridor leading to the Outpatients Department at UHW, the exhibition runs until 11 April 2025. The exhibition programme at UHW is part of the Waterford Healing Arts programme, which is managed by Réalta, the national resource organisation for arts + health in Ireland. Rica Shimabukuro’s work is a reflection of her deep connection with nature. Drawing inspiration from her surroundings, she creates delicate and intricate artworks that evoke a sense of calm and contemplation. Through her use of colour, texture, and movement, Rica invites viewers to momentarily escape daily life and immerse themselves in a dreamlike world of wild birds, plants, and shifting landscapes. Originally from Tokyo and now based in Sweden, Rica is a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, textiles, fashion, jewellery, silk screen printing, and photography. Her artistic approach combines traditional techniques with modern interpretations, offering a unique perspective on the interplay between nature and human experience. Her works have been exhibited in various international spaces, reflecting her evolving journey as an artist. Réalta is the national resource organisation dedicated to developing arts + health in Ireland. Through its national programme, Réalta delivers training; provides information, mentoring and advice; supports networking; engages with the HSE and other policy makers to increase...

A much-loved element of the Well Festival, this poetry strand from Waterford Healing Arts has been curated this this year by the highly regarded poet Kerrie O’Brien, who has chosen an absorbing selection to give us a daily lift.  A new poem will be shared each day with the University Hospital Waterford (UHW) community via patient meal trays and staff emails, and the wider Well Festival audience through Waterford Libraries and online. “my favourite part of the Well Festival!” Dubliner Kerrie O’Brien’s debut collection of poetry, Illuminate, was published by Salmon Poetry in October 2016, made possible by a Literature Bursary from the Arts Council of Ireland. Kerrie’s poetry has been featured in Cyphers, The Stinging Fly, The Irish Times, RTE Arena, Sunday Miscellany, The RTE Bookshow, The Irish Examiner and Southword and her work has been read at literary festivals around the world.  www.kerrieobrien.com “There is a feathery lightness to O’Brien’s work.  Her words give life to the human experience.” (The Irish Times) Monday 17 February – Waiting for St Brigid’s Day by Gerard Smyth Tuesday 18 February – Ionatsa by Aifric MacAodha translated by David Wheatley Wednesday 19 February – Coracle by Jane Clarke Thursday 20 February – Springshine by Colm Keegan Friday 21 February – Life by Geoff...

Are you feeling well? Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing 2025 launches exciting line-up – over 30 FREE local arts events Music, art, dance, poetry and stories to lift people’s spirits Dedicated activities for younger audiences through the Wellies programme Festival dates: Monday 17 – Saturday 22 February Taking place in venues across Waterford from Monday 17 to Saturday 22 February, the Well Festival of Arts & Wellbeing features an inspirational line-up of over 30 fun, FREE and sociable arts events for all ages.  Presented by Waterford Healing Arts and Waterford Libraries, festivalgoers will experience the joy of creativity through music, art, dance, literature, talks, workshops and interactive opportunities for all ages. The programme also includes Wellies, with events designed especially for younger audiences including dance workshops, crafting, storytelling and more.  See www.wellwaterford.com or Well-Festival-brochure-online.pdf for the festival brochure. The 12th Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing celebrates how the arts make us feel good and inspire us. Echoing nature’s journey from winter into spring, with the evenings getting a little brighter and new life beginning to appear, the Well Festival invites people to venture out, explore and make new connections. In addition to events across the city, the festival has a special focus on arts for people in healthcare settings with a range of activities and immersive experiences planned for patients and staff at University Hospital Waterford. Some Highlights  Fancy a lift? A daily postcard with poetry, curated by poet Kerrie O’Brien, delivered on meal trays to patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW), and available to all through Central Library, Lady Lane, Waterford and Dungarvan Library, Davitt’s Quay, Dungarvan,...

This week we unveiled a stunning lightbox installation for patients, staff, and visitors at Orthopaedic 2 at University Hospital Waterford (UHW). The lightbox is part of a wider series of photographs by Tom Quilty that have been installed throughout the orthopaedic areas at UHW. The ‘South-East Series,’ as it is known, depicts the beautiful landscapes of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, and Waterford. Dr Niamh O’Regan, Consultant Geriatrician, said, “We are absolutely delighted with the fabulous artworks supplied by the very talented Tom Quilty, depicting scenes of beauty from around the South-East, our regional trauma catchment area. These beautiful works not only enhance the environment for patients and staff members but also provide mobility goals and conversation points throughout both orthopaedic wards for those recovering from trauma. They also help to provide a connection to home, especially for those patients from our regional trauma catchment area outside Waterford, often far from family and friends. Thank you to all the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts staff for making this vision become a reality!” The Art Collection of University Hospital Waterford is managed by Réalta through the Waterford Healing Arts programme. Réalta is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and the HSE. (Left to Right) Dr Niamh O’Regan, Consultant Geriatrician; Kirsty Mason, CNM2; Suzanne Laffan, ANP; Tom Quilty, Photographer; and Nicy Thomas, Staff...

We are delighted to launch Summits, a collection of photography, by Joanna Taraska. This is Joanna’s second exhibition on the Staff Art Wall at University Hospital Waterford. Her work is on show until 11 March 2025. Joanna Taraska was born in Poland but has been living in Ireland since 2007.  She joined UHW in 2008 and is currently working in the Laboratory Department. Joanna’s interest in photography began during her studies for an MA in Geography from Swietokrzysky University in Kielce, Poland. Photographs in the Summits collection were taken during Joanna’s mountaineering trips to the French Alps, the Caucasus, the Andes and the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal.  All proceeds from the sale of these photos will be donated to the Solas Cancer Support Centre in Waterford. 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...