Al impressed by creativity
WEXFORD Mental Health Association launched its Creativity Counts art exhibition in its premises on Henrietta Street recently to great acclaim. In spite of Storm Brian, many people braved the elements and Wexford Mental Health Association played host to full house.
People from all walks of life enjoyed the fantastic exhibits including paintings, ceramic works, craft work, photography and art created in many other mediums.
The exhibition was formally launched by the comedian and radio and TV presenter Al Porter who applauded all who had used art as a tool in maintaining or restoring good mental health.
‘It is very important to have a reason to get out of bed each day and if creating a piece of art is that reason then it must be very good,’ he said.
He was so impressed by the exhibits that he purchased the first piece of art to be sold at the exhibition. The piece, entitled ‘Hidden Gem’, made an immediate impact on him as he browsed through the gallery.
Creativity Counts is an art exhibition with a difference showcasing the artwork of the various exhibitors. It began as an idea to bring more people into Wexford Mental Health Association’s office space in Henrietta Street.
It was envisaged by the organisers that an art exhibition would raise the profile of the association and would be a way of inviting more people to visit the office, have a look around at the work being done by WMHA, pick up a mental health leaflet and have a chat.
It was hoped that the exhibition would offer the opportunity to artists to display their work and Wexford MHA was inundated with applications from artists to exhibit their work. Each artist in their application to exhibit had to satisfy the organisers that their piece was in some way related to the promotion of mental health. Each piece is accompanied by a description from the artist. Speakers on the night were overwhelmed by the standard of work on display and lauded the initiative as ground breaking.
Dr Kieran Moore, consultant psychiatrist, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, also addressed the gathering saying: ‘What’s so powerful about being here is seeing the way of expressing not just pain but the feeling and the human experience that is beyond words… what’s here is humbling.’
Martin Rogan, CEO of Mental Health Ireland, said the exhibition was an impressive event. ‘People shared something real, something close to their hearts’, he said.
He congratulated WMHA on once again breaking new ground in the area of mental health promotion and hoped that Mental Health Ireland would be able to use the template at a national level.
A number of exhibitors spoke about their journey in creating their work.
One exhibitor said: ‘Art is my wellness tool – it has been the backbone of my recovery.’
TD James Brown, addressing the gathering, promised to continue to seek further funding for mental health services in Co Wexford.
The organisers said they were overwhelmed with the level of generosity from sponsors and from those willing to volunteer their time and skills to make the exhibition a success.
A portrait of the well known Wexford play write Billy Roche sketched by Sarah Prendergast has been donated to Wexford Mental Health Association and is on auction throughout the festival. Bids for the magnificent piece, which would look very well in any room in a private or public space can be placed in WMHA offices any time during the festival.
The exhibition runs for the weekends of the Opera Festival from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily.