Chronic Chats is an online creative group for chronically ill people in Mayo, led by chronically ill artist and designer, Áine O’Hara.
The group will meet weekly for six weeks in March and April 2021 to chat and create. Áine is looking for a small number of participants over 18 years to take part in the group. Chronic Chats is a peer support group for those who are sick or housebound due to health conditions and have been experiencing the isolation that often comes with illness. This experience of isolation can be either recent or long term.
O'Hara stated: "The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a greater awareness of social isolation, which some people have been experiencing long before the pandemic. There is often talk of a ‘new normal’, however the truth is living in isolation is the norm for many people with an illness. This project highlights the need to focus on connection, conversation and care.
"Chronic Chats is a space where chronically ill people can meet each other, relax, and talk about our experiences, (or not ). There will be creative activities that you can take part in, or, if you want you can just tune in and listen. The purpose of this group is to connect people through creativity by drawing, colouring and chatting. No artistic experience is needed."
Spaces are limited and will be allocated randomly. There is no cost to take part, though you do need internet access as meetings will take place online. To register interest contact Mayo County Council Arts Service at (094 ) 906 4376 or [email protected] by March 15, 2020. "Please let us know if you have any specific access requirements or questions," added O'Hara.
Áine O’Hara is an award-winning visual artist, theatre-maker and facilitator based in North Mayo. She is passionate about creating exciting and vulnerable work for and about people who are often left out of traditional art and theatre spaces and her artistic practice is influenced by her own experience of chronic illness. For further details see www.aineohara.com
This project is part of Navigating a Future, a Mayo County Council Public Art Commission. Four artists living in Mayo will create artwork in response to the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on people's lives going forward. Funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme, for more information visit: www.mayo.ie/arts/public-art
