“Each piece of art on display tells its own story” —the words of Councillor Brendan Henaghan, Mayor of Castlebar, as he opened RehabCare’s art exhibition in the Linenhall Arts Centre. The exhibition which runs until April 6 features a range of paintings and crafts. The works were created by 50 artists, all of whom have an intellectual disability, physical/sensory disability, or mental health needs, and who access the RehabCare resource centres in Castlebar. Entry is free to the exhibition which has been co-ordinated by RehabCare staff member Josephine Killalea and art tutor Emma Gallagher.
On opening the exhibition, Cllr Henaghan said: “It was an honour for me to open the exhibition for RehabCare as I have seen first-hand the fantastic service that they provide here in Castlebar. The range of styles is amazing and I am really impressed with the talent on display. Art is an important form of therapy and I believe that each piece on display tells its own story.”
In partnership with the HSE, RehabCare provides a range of high-quality person-centred services in Castlebar. The resource centre on Breaffy Road includes a full-size bocce court – the only one in Mayo. The centre caters for 68 people and runs many person-centred activities, including IT, arts, crafts, cookery, and independent living skills. In addition, a community resource centre on Spencer Street in Castlebar provides close support services for 14 school-leavers and assists them in accessing new activities in the local community. There is also a supported accommodation service which caters for nine people at two locations in the town and an outreach service which provides support to 18 adults in their own homes.
