The workshops were launched as part of World Heart Day on Sunday 29 September. The aim of the project is to encourage the arts to patients suffering from heart conditions.
Arts workshops were set up at University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park and Portiuncula University Hospital. The project was led by Galway City Council in partnership with Galway County Council, Saolta Arts, and heart and stroke charity Croí.
Marie Cloonan, CNM 3 Cardiothoracics and Cariology, University Hospital Galway, said, “Following a cardiac event, be it surgery or otherwise, there is a huge psychological component which can be alleviated through activities such as art sessions."
“It was a wonderful experience, artmaking in the hospital. Good for the heart and good for the soul" said Dick Byrne, a patient who took part in the workshops last year.
The project is funded by Creative Health and Wellbeing Fund, an initiative of Creative Ireland, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
