A Fun and Creative February Mid Term Break
In February, we held our first camps of 2023 in 5 different locations – Limerick, Cork, Clare, Mayo and Galway. Here’s how it all went down!
We met over 40 children living with lifelong physical health conditions. There were a lot of new faces at the camps, which was fantastic to see. Our artists enjoyed connecting the new participants with some of our more regular Helium participants. Friends were made and a big theme of the camps was building relationships and trust. Once again, making connections with other children who are experiencing similar things is one of the stand-out highlights of all of our workshops and camps.
Another highlight is, of course, learning new skills and making art! Below is a synopsis of just some of the creativity we witnessed at each of the camps.
A big thank you to all of our artists for bringing so much joy and creativity to our participants throughout the February camps! We can’t wait to do it all again at Easter!
Read more about the artists involved here.
If you or someone you know is living with a lifelong physical health condition and would like to take part please go to find a workshop to see what’s coming up and how to register!
Limerick
Our amazing artist, Emma Fisher, brought along her animation tables to the camp in Limerick. The participants loved it and worked together to make some amazing animations complete with subtitles, multiple scenes, a script and puppets! The creative potential of our participants really shone through with Emma noticing the talent in the room through their amazing work. No detail was missed - check out how the flamingo’s mouths are moving!
Watch the animations here by clicking on read more.Galway
We were delighted to have artist, Paul Bokslag, with our participants in Galway. Paul used the prompt of working with spring flowers that he and the volunteer had brought from their own gardens. Their plan was to make some spring themed stained glass creations. However, the children used their own creative agency and the result included some images of Spring themes but also pictures of houses, sea scapes, lighthouses and even the solar system which became a new focus for the art on day two!
Cork
Artist, Rachel Doolin, in Cork introduced materials from balloons to foam to kitchen utensils and even bubble wrap for mark making. The participants began by making some beautiful and colourful prints on the canvas(see the before pic above) on day one. Day two was all about collaboration as the participants used music, rhythm and movement to create and have fun together transforming the canvas to a brown mess full of energy and enthusiasm! (see after pic above)
Ennis
Ana Colomer facilitated our camp in Ennis, with the support of Associate Artist Shona MacGillivray. She listened to the children and learned what they liked to do. When one participant asked ‘can I draw on the wall?’ Ana and Shona made this happen and here is a snap of that art in progress. Stunning!
Castlebar
Our artist, Niamh Gibbons in Castlebar shared some amazing before and after pics with us. Niamh was supported by Associate Artist, Steph Troy, for the camp. These pictures represent the story of many of our new participants who can be a bit nervous at first to pick up a brush only to find themselves soon letting go, making art, playing, messing and having fun! You can feel the energy and the transformation in these beautiful pictures.
