@ Tullamore Midland Regional Hospital
Tullamore Hospital Ground Floor, South Hospital Street. This exhibition of artworks is the outcome of a visual arts project called Stop and Sit undertaken by artists Rowena Keaveny and Julie Spollen. It encapsulates the observations and interactions with participating staff at the Hospital. This artist in residency project was a collaboration between Anam Beo, Offaly County Council Arts Office and Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore.
A wonderful connection with staff and a positive programme of work alongside the successful Anam Beos Arts and Health Seminar in the refurbished Scott building. A really strong indication of the positive links that are being built between the collaborators involved and how participatory arts are being enabled in the spaces available. Health humanities and a realisation of the unquantifiable benefits the arts have for our society is here to stay. Accessible creative spaces, where people cross between disciplines, may act as a conduit to solving the health, social and care issues of our times.
Given the opportunity people will always remember how to play, laugh and be expressive, participatory arts can bring us to that place. Not to loose sight of these powerful interactions and the provision of opportunities for that powerful place, be in physical or mental, is important. The challenge is to ensure that a balance exists where people can meet, communicate… nurture the body, soul and think tank… we do all have the capacity for individual creative expression. It is up to contemporary society, to embrace, consider and provide access to possibilities for our health, daily living and recovery.
Many thanks to staff at the hospital and all the team for advocating the role the arts play in rehabilitation, recovery, care, daily living and for embracing and providing access to the positive possibilities for our communities in Offaly.