"Art@work 21" annual staff exhibition launched at University Hospital Galway

Saolta Arts launched Art@Work 21, an exhibition by hospital staff running until the end of January. Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer of HSE West and North West, officially launched the exhibition on Friday, 20 December on the Art Corridor of University Hospital Galway. 

Art@work is the annual exhibition of work by staff from Galway University Hospitals and is now an annual event during the Christmas season. This year’s exhibition showcases work from staff from administration, healthcare assistants, medicine, microbiology, nursing, pharmacy, physiotherapy, psychiatry, radiology, radiotherapy, community health staff, hospital volunteers and many of our retired colleagues. 

In his opening address Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer of HSE West and North West stated: “I’m delighted to be here to open this exhibition having been a supporter of the work of Saolta Arts for many years. The arts are important in a healthcare context, particularly in the areas of mental health and wellbeing. Not only are staff doing a great job on the front line but also sharing their creativity with patients, their colleagues and the general public.

“The presence of art in all of our healthcare facilities has grown and developed over the years and is very positive not just in terms of enhancing appearance of the environment but also the way we interact in the environment in which we are working. The staff art exhibition aside from being brilliant is a way in which staff can connect with the workplace in a different way, it helps us connect and engage with each other not just in the hospital but also between people and colleagues in the broader community. I would like to thank the Arts Committee and all staff involved in contributing their time, expertise and enthusiasm.”

Olga Magliocco, Chairperson, Saolta Arts said: “On behalf of Saolta Arts we would like to thank the staff from University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital who are participating in our twenty first exhibition and our Art Director Margaret Flannery who has organised and curated this exhibition for the past 21 years.  Each year it has grown, along with the creative skills of our regular contributors, while being introduced to new work by immerging talent.” Olga also thanked the participants who have agreed to be Champions of Art. A programme that is part of the Saolta Arts commitment to encourage staff to Champion Art to their colleagues, patients, and visitors in their workplace. As well as creating a dialogue between the Staff and the Saolta Arts Board, enabling both to identify the requirements most suitable in the various areas of the hospitals.

Olga announced that, “At the last Board meeting it was unanimously agreed that we would name it the Kieran Tobin Champion Programme in his memory. Dr Kieran Tobin was a founding member of the art committee, a member of staff in his capacity as ENT Consultant and the first Champion of the arts. He encouraged many who have participated over the years and some who continue to exhibit today. He exhibited each year until his untimely passing in 2022. He is fondly remembered by all.” Olga thanked participating staff for sharing their work and giving our hospital community an opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the creativity of our colleagues.

For information regarding the arts programme, phone 091-544979 or email  saoltaarts@hse.ie