Featuring an eclectic mix of artworks by participants of the Waterford Healing Arts Open Studio group, Gatherings is an art exhibition showcasing a diverse range of individual styles and techniques. The exhibition celebrates the group’s weekly gatherings at the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts Centre for Arts + Health, where they create and make art together. Their workshops are facilitated by artist Jill Bouchier. The exhibition is on view at The Index Gallery, Central Library from Thursday 16 November to Thursday 30 November.
The Open Studio has been operating at the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts Centre for Arts + Health since 2009. It was established to provide a creative and social outlet for people living in the community who may feel socially isolated due to ill health or disability.
The Open Studio group has a history of successful exhibitions. The group held their first exhibition in 2011 at UHW, entitled Separate Storms. In 2013 they exhibited their work in Cupán Tae during the inaugural Well festival. Following that they exhibited The Feel Good Factory I at Garter Lane Arts Centre and The Feel Good Factory II at the Index Gallery, WCCC Library, as part of the Well Festival 2014 and 2016 respectively. They exhibited at GOMA Gallery of Modern Art for the first time in 2018 with their exhibition This is WHAT we’re all about. Their last group exhibition, Reconnections, was also in GOMA in 2020 but unfortunately due to pandemic restrictions the group did not get a chance to view their work altogether, in-person.
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 Body for Arts + Health in Ireland. Réalta is core funded by the Arts Council and the HSE. www.realta.ie
ENDS
