Art exhibitions to take place in nursing homes across the country
Thursday May 19, 202219th May 2022: The artistic and creative talents of hundreds of nursing home residents across the country will be celebrated through the National Arts in Nursing Homes Day this coming Friday, 20th May. Arts events and exhibitions are being hosted within nursing homes as part of the annual Age & Opportunity Bealtaine Festival celebrations. Over 140 nursing homes participated in the 2021 celebrations, with 2022 looking to build upon the success of the inaugural event.
For a number of weeks, nursing home residents have been engaged with activity coordinators working on art and craftworks that will go on display for visitors to view this coming Friday.
The exhibitions will feature award winning projects undertaken by residents at Kiltipper Woods in Co Dublin, Dealgan House in Co Louth and Esker Lodge in Co Cavan. Kiltipper was the inaugural recipient of the National Arts in Nursing Homes Day Award, with Dealgan House and Esker Lodge also recipients of awards for their projects. Kiltipper’s National Arts in Nursing Homes Day celebration will see the unveiling of a steel sculpture representing the meaning of life, family and nature for nursing home residents. Dealgan House entails the creation of dolls that will sit within a natural wood environment and Esker Lodge has created a large canvas of visual art representing the theme of ‘Connection to Animals and Nature’.
Dr. Tara Byrne, Arts Programme Manager and Bealtaine Festival Artistic Director said: ““With the deep enjoyment, connection and release that the arts can bring to us, we hope that through National Arts in Nursing Homes Day we help put the arts right at the heart of people’s lives in nursing homes and day care centres around Ireland.”
Tadhg Daly, Nursing Homes Ireland CEO states: “Art fulfils such an integral role in meeting the social care needs of residents in nursing homes. National Arts in Nursing Homes Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the gift of expression, joy and gratification that art and creative works bring to residents on a constant basis. For a number of weeks, nursing home staff and residents have been engaged to create works that will be unveiled Friday for celebratory events in nursing homes. Nursing Homes Ireland are delighted and extremely proud to partner with Age and Opportunity’s Bealtaine Festival to recognise the creative talents of older people in our nursing homes.”
Media can contact Michael McGlynn, Nursing Homes Ireland Communications and Research Executive, at 087 9082970.
Note for Editor
Media are invited to cover the celebration at Kiltipper Woods, Kiltipper Road, Dublin 24. Pictures will be circulated to media by Maxwell Photography.