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ArtBeat wraps for another year

Gold Coast Health’s annual ArtBeat Music and Arts Festival was celebrated during Mental Health Week to showcase the creative strengths of people living with mental illness on the Gold Coast.

Now in its 11th year, the program included an extensive showcase of 180 artworks by 63 community artists, including consumers of our Mental Health service. Displayed across Gold Coast University Hospital (GCUH) and Robina Hospital, the artworks ranged from paintings and drawings to poems and collaborative installations that reflected a range of subject matter, artistic style and materials.

Robina Hospital Feature artist, Hayley Stanich, shared how art serves as a therapeutic outlet to help her express her emotions and cope with personal challenges.

“Creating art allows me to focus my energy on something positive, transforming pain into beauty and fostering a sense of accomplishment and hope” Hayley said.

GCUH feature artists, Kristel Kenny and mother-daughter duo Jemma and Robyn Matthews shared their artworks and the role that art has played in their mental health journey, reflecting on the importance of community connection for mental health.

“For me exhibiting my work is deeply fulfilling. It allows me to share my inner world and connect with others through art.” Kristel said.

A gala event for the artists was held at GCUH to officially launch the exhibitions and winners were announced following a careful and considered judging process undertaken by Board Chair Professor Cindy Shannon and Bonnie Melrose, Manager of Art in Health, Qld Children’s Hospital.

The audience were treated to a performance by the Griffith Serotonin Choir and GCUH volunteer pianist Scott Herbet, as well as a brave poetry reading by ArtBeat artist Aadhira Vellala.

Staff, consumers and visitors to the hospital have shown their support for our ArtBeat artists with 48 artworks sold from the exhibitions.  All proceeds go directly to the artists, providing incredible encouragement for them to continue making art throughout their mental health journeys.

After counting more than 230 votes, we can now announce the People’s Choice Award winners for 2024. Congratulations to Esther Strudwick from the Spic n Span artist group for her painting ‘Disco Emu’ that provided many smiles at Robina Hospital (See image below). The winner of the People’s Choice at GCUH is ‘Well-Beeing' by Lynne Jackson (See image below). Lynne’s work has been acquired by the Mental Health and Specialist Service and will be on display permanently in the hospital’s ArtBeat Gallery.

The much-anticipated ArtBeat Festival was held in the GCUH Parklands on a bright and sunny day with a record number of stallholders supporting the event. The festival was enhanced by a series of Culture Therapy activations coordinated by the First Nations Health Equity team, showcasing how art and culture contribute to health and wellbeing . Highlights included SandTok, Art and Colour, and Moving Meditation Culture Therapy workshops, each reinforcing the festival’s message of wellness through creative expression. As part of the First Nations Health Equity Strategy, Culture Therapy brings innovative approaches to healthcare, underscoring the vital role of cultural inclusion in healing practices within Gold Coast Health. [LS1] 

Staff, consumers and their families enjoyed a three-hour performance showcase by mental health consumers – from opera to rock and everything in-between. Of course, the snow cones, popcorn and paella are always a huge hit too.

Creative Health Hub Manager, Maddie Collins, reflected on the importance of events like ArtBeat, and the value it brings to the community.

“ArtBeat is a chance for mental health and community services to come together and engage with consumers, but peer connection remains a highlight of the festival each year and the Gold Coast mental health network grows in strength from these interactions”. Maddie said.

Congratulations to all the artists and musicians involved in making ArtBeat 2024 a great success and we look forward to doing it all again next year.

Peoples choice

 

 

Last updated 25 Nov 2024