Creativity will count in online art exhibition
WEXFORD MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION’S ART EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ONLINE FOR 2020
FOR the past three years Wexford Mental Health Association (WMHA) has hosted Creativity Counts, an art exhibition showcasing the work of up-and-coming artists across the county.
However, even art isn’t immune from the effects of the coronavirus, and the prospect of hosting an exhibition during the pandemic has forced WMHA to rethink its approach for 2020.
Organisers Ciaradh Walsh, Theresa Codd Goff and Annette Wall, have embraced the current challenges and made changes which will ensure the exhibition goes ahead and be more popular than ever.
Entitled ‘Creativity Counts – promoting wellness in challenging times’ this year’s exhibition will be a virtual one. Exhibitors will be invited to share photos or a short video of a creative piece/media which has helped them to promote and maintain their own wellbeing during the current Covid-19 pandemic.
‘It has been wonderfully uplifting for us all to experience the ways that people and communities have come together to find new and innovative ways to live in the early months of 2020, using all aspects of the Arts to help them get through some worrying and uncertain months,’ Theresa said.
‘The organisers of Creativity Counts have closely observed the involvement of the Arts in helping people through art, film, poetry, music, cooking, crafts and so many more creative media.’
Influenced by the current movement towards the Arts, the organisers have decided to extend the scope of this year’s exhibition to include other creative activities including baking, singing, graphic design, gardening, music, dancing and dramatic monologues as well as the usual art, craft, poetry, photography and sculpture.
While audiences and visitors to the previous exhibitions have gradually grown in numbers, the organisers are hopeful this year’s viral exhibition will access an even wider audience.
The exhibition will also be widely covered in the local media so that those who do not have internet access will also be able to view the exhibits.
Anyone can submit entries to the Creativity Counts exhibition, it is open to all members of the community.
‘We believe it will provide a very worthwhile and important insight into how creativity within us all has brought us through the dark moments that we have all experienced during the coronavirus pandemic,’ said Theresa.
‘So the call is now going out to all people of Co Wexford to download the application form and submit your artistic pieces to us, using the artistic medium of your choice.’
For further information and application form, please visit www.wexfordmentalhealthassociation.ie or you can also message the group’s Facebook page or email us on wexfordmha@mentalhealthireland.ie
The closing date for receipt of entries is Monday, September 7.