Helium Arts Host A Showcase of Artwork By Young Teens with Cystic Fibrosis on May 29th

When and where is it on?

Helium Arts are hosting it in Waterford on Wednesday 29th May at 6pm in Waterford Healing Arts Trust, University Hospital Waterford.

How many years has it been going?

It has only been going for the last 3 months.

What was the inspiration to start it?

Teenagers with cystic fibrosis experience social isolation and face barriers when it comes to connecting and conversing with each other: due to cross-infection issues, they cannot be in the same physical space. Due to social isolation, they can begin to feel lonely and experience sadness and anxiety. The arts have been proven to provide wellbeing by bringing people together to share interests and experiences in an artistic way while developing creative skills. The development of using this platform will also contribute to Helium Arts long-term goal to increase impact and reach more kids living with illness through art programmes. A group in the States is already interested in taking part in the next arts workshop series.

What exciting things can people look forward to?

At the showcase guests will learn about how the young developing artists engaged virtually with the project and how the online technology supported the creative process; See the artwork; Visit the only dedicated cultural centre to arts and health in Ireland; Watch a film about the work created.

Seven Summer Stars: @HeliumArts showcase of artwork by young teens with cystic fibrosis who have been making art & connecting creatively online. Taking place @WHATartshealth 29 May in partnership with @cf_ireland @IMMAIreland #cysticfibrosis #artsandhealth https://t.co/YrRrWbgIHM pic.twitter.com/FsS7thNbki

— artsandhealth.ie (@artsandhealthie) May 23, 2019

What opportunities are on offer for those attending?

Visit the only dedicated cultural centre to arts and health in Ireland, Network with the arts and health community, and enjoy some tea and cake!

Who will be speaking?

Rachel Tynan (project artist), Shane Regan (educational technologist, An Cosán VCC) and Emma Eager (project manager, Helium Arts).

How can people book tickets?

To get to the showcase on May 29th make sure to email at [email protected]

About the project

Seven Summer Stars will give a unique insight into artwork created by young people with cystic fibrosis who connected online and creatively mapped the connections they share.
Teenagers with cystic fibrosis face barriers when it comes to connecting and conversing with each other: due to cross-infection issues, they cannot be in the same physical space. Helium’s online art project has brought together young people living with cystic fibrosis to collaborate with artist Rachel Tynan and their peers through an art journaling process.

Using digital tools and online mediated meet-ups along with access to professional artist mentorship, participants have benefitted from the development of collaborative arts practice with a community of peers and the exploration of personal stories. The project also included a virtual gallery experience connected to the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s “Freud Gaze” exhibition. Together, the group came up with the name Seven Summer Stars. You can read more about the project here.

You can read more articles surrounding cystic fibrosis here.

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