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Summer News from Art at the Heart of the RUH
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I hope that you are having a lovely summer. As ever Art at the Heart has been very busy behind the scenes and we have a packed programme to offer patients, staff and visitors and we hope that there will be something of interest for everyone.

First of all we are delighted to be able to resume Artsparks on the Children’s ward with lead artist Edwina Bridgeman and we look forward to their first exhibition in the Artsparks Gallery (Central: West) in September. As part of this programme we will be collaborating arts projects with our music programme, Soundbite which promises  to produce some really interesting work. We have the Bath Folk Festival to look forward to next week and weather permitting; we will hold some of the performances in the garden.

Last but not least this year’s Staff and Volunteer exhibition demonstrates just how much creativity goes on behind the scenes and we really take our hat off to those who have contributed and manage to be so imagianative and industrious in their (limited) spare time! Whether you are a patient, visitor or member of staff we hope that you enjoy our summer programme. Hetty Dupays, Arts Programme Manager

Exhibition Programme

Summer - Autumn (25th July - 16th October 2014)

Following the success from the first ever RUH Staff and Volunteer Exhibition held in spring 2012, this summer Art at the Heart has once again given Staff and Volunteers an opportunity to share their creativity and transform the public corridors. Viewers can vote for their favourite artwork in the People's Choice vote. Winners will be announced at the Prize Giving Cermony on Wednesday 17th September, 5-6pm, Lansdown Foyer.

With over 250 artworks submitted, 120 artworks were chosen, representing 56 staff members and volunteers over 34 departments across the RUH, we can safely say it is an exhibition not to be missed.

Joining them is Fresh Art @ Hillview, a project which has created inspiring new art for the walls of the Hillview Lodge inpatient unit by giving people affected by mental health the chance to get creative. This exhibition showcases the artwork that has been created by all those engaged in the workshops across some of Bath’s museums and Hillview Lodge.

The project is part of the on-going vision to present mental health in a positive light, embrace social inclusion and break down stigma. Find out more at our Artist Talk and Short Film Soiree on Thursday 11th September, 6:30-8pm, Neurology Outpatients, Room B9.

You can now keep up to date with our programme, covering exhibitions to workshops via our What's On Guide, bursting with things to see and do, during your time at the RUH.
 

Artsparks

Welcome Back Artsparks!

Artist in Residence Edwina Bridgeman is back to run the Artsparks programme. The programme aims to help children feel more at home in hospital, make friends, continue to learn outside of school, and stretch their creativity and give them an outlet for their emotions.

This year, we are aiming to run over 80 art and music workshops on the children’s ward, reaching over 1,440 children and their families in the process. Work for the up-and-coming summer exhibition, which is inspired by the four seasons is well and truly underway, and patients, visitors and staff can expect to see the West Corridor transformed at the start of September.

Later in the year, participants will get the opportunity to be a part of Edwina’s forthcoming solo exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. Please keep an eye on our twitter feed for a sneak peak.

For more information on past projects, please see our Artsparks Book.

Music - Dates for your diary 

August - December 2014

Bringing a diverse range of live music to communal areas of the hospital and wards.

Up and coming performances take place in the main atrium, between 1-1:30pm, unless otherwise stated below, before moving onto the hospital wards

Bath Folk Festival - 11th-15th August 
Claire Stobi, Violinist - 29th August
Superact - 15th September, Atrium, 12-12.30pm
Encaladus Quintet - 26th September
Gaulois Brothers - 10th October
Hannah Stone - 31st October
Marick and Seka - 14th November
Encaladus - 12th December

Bath Folk Festival
9th - 17th August, Atrium, 1-2pm

 

Bath Folk Festival is a grass roots festival run by and for musicians and dancers who are passionate about folk culture.


Monday 11th August
Deauir, Welsh music on Hard and Violin
Tuesday 12th August
The Towpath Choir, Sea Shanty singing group
Wednesday 13th August
Amadou Daigne, Sengalese songwriter and percussionist
Thursday 14th August
Giordana Massacessi, Italian and Irish music from accordion maestro
Friday 14th August
TBC (Please note that Rory Mcleod will not be performing, as previously advertised).

Capital Projects 

Art within the built environment 

Art for Cancer Care


The RUH plans to build a new and pioneering Cancer Care Centre which balances clinical expertise with the provision of a nurturing and therapeutic environment – centred on patient care and experience, reducing stress and anxiety, producing a holistic approach for patients and their families.

We have been working with the Forever Friends Appeal since 2013 to launch a fundraising strategy to raise £250,000 for artworks and integrated design features for the new build. We have already been very lucky to acquire a light installation by Bruce Munro and this will be incorporated into the building's design, along with other artworks commissioned for the refurbishment of Oncology Outpatients department.

As part of the fundraising strategy we are offering individuals and companies the chance to support Art within the Cancer Care Centre, including: contributing to the Cancer Care Arts Fund, supporting a specific art commission or become an Art for Cancer Care Friend. We are currently preparing a Cancer Care Centre art brochure, which will shortly be available to request.

In Other News

Oncology Drop-in Art Workshops

 

Throughout June and July, Oncology patients were given the opportunity to take part in a series of 8 drop-in art workshops, led by experienced art facilitator Charlotte Stowell. A range of activities were on offer, designed for participants to create something in a short space of time, with little mess.

Working closely with the Oncology Department, the workshops proved to be a big hit amongst patients, with some patients often arriving early for their appointments, and even some cases on days when they didn’t have an appointment to ensure that they could take part.

Delighted by the response from patients, carers and staff, we are currently working on an evaluation report, which will soon be available to request. If you would like a copy please contact Diane Samways on diane.samways@nhs.net

“I wasn’t looking forward to my next visit, but now I’m really looking forward to coming next week” Patient

The Golden Bird Project:

Liberated Words comes to Combe Ward



Liberated Words co-founded by videopoet, artist and writer Sarah Tremlett and novelist Lucy English, is a small local company showcasing videopoems – a creative outlet which involves a combination of text, language, sound and moving images.

Acclaimed poet and workshop leader Helen Moore and filmmaker Howard Vause, joined forces with our Musician and Artist in Residence in July to offer older patients on Combe Ward the opportunity to take part in the folklore videopoem of The Golden Bird.  

The film is currently in the editing process, and will be available to view via our website shortly. Alternatively you can view the film along with other short films produced by Liberated Words at the Bristol Poetry Festival, held at the Arnolfini, Bristol from the 15th -21st September.

The Arts and Dementia Care in Acute Hospitals


The Arts and Dementia Care in Acute Hospitals project and digital resource aims to support staff to deliver improved dignity in care for older people with dementia when they are in acute general hospitals.


The arts and dementia in acute project brought together nursing staff and arts coordinators in six hospitals in the South West, including Art at the Heart in an action learning set. Staff shared experiences, ideas and information, and an evaluation of the projects was led by Dr Marian Naidoo from Bath University.

The result of the first phase of this project has now been developed into a digital resource for other hospitals, which can be found on the Arts and Health South West website.

The digital resource sole purpose is to share ideas and experiences, and AHSW would be happy to hear from any hospitals that would like to find out more about the next phase of development to trial and expand the digital resource.

Quote of the Month
From our Artsparks Programme

 

"It is cool here!" "This workshop has been invaluable to us during my son's stay in hospital. Thank you!" Patients Mum

Can you help?

We are always looking for inspiring, motivated and knowledgeable individuals to volunteer or join the Arts Strategy Group. 

If you’re interested in becoming involved in our work or feel you have something to offer please get in touch with our Arts Programme Manager Hetty Dupays on hetty.dupays@nhs.net or call 01225 824987.


If you would like to donate money which will help us maintain and continue the arts programme then you can do so by clicking on the Donate button below or filling out our Sales and Donations form. Another way you can help us out is by purchasing art work as a commission goes straight into the Art at the Heart fund.
Copyright © 2013 Art at the Heart of the RUH, Charity No. 1058323, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
Art at the Heart of the RUH
2nd Floor, Bath & Wessex House
Royal United Hospital NHS Trust
Combe Park
Bath
BA1 3NG
T: 01225 824 987
e: hetty.dupays@nhs.net

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