Art exhibition to highlight growing work in supporting children at risk of social exclusion in Tipperary

Helium Arts, the national children’s charity committed to improving the wellbeing of children and young people living with lifelong physical health conditions, is presenting a free art exhibition in Súil Gallery, Ennis, from May 24 to June 7, that highlights its growing work in the area of inclusion health, which supports children at risk of social exclusion in the Mid-West region, including Co Tipperary.

The exhibition will showcase artworks created by children and young people with lifelong physical health conditions from Tipperary and the Mid-West region while attending paediatric clinics in Tyone Health Centre in Nenagh, University Hospital Limerick and Ennis Hospital.

Helium Arts is providing its creative health programme of free, artist-led creative workshops in these paediatric clinics in the Mid-West that serve children experiencing significant adversity, including children experiencing homelessness, those from marginalised migrant communities, and members of ethnic minority groups, including the Roma and Traveller community.

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The Súil Gallery, Ennis exhibition will also feature artworks created with Helium Arts during community workshops in counties Tipperary, Limerick and Clare by young people with lifelong physical health conditions.

Funded by Creative Ireland through the Creative Youth Nurture Fund 2023-2025 and Creative Ireland’s Creative Health and Wellbeing programme in conjunction with Tipperary County Council, Limerick City and County Council and Clare County Council, the title of the exhibition is ‘Journeys -Everything Begins Somewhere’.

Announcing the Ennis exhibition, founder and CEO of Helium Arts, Helene Hugel said: “We know from research that children from disadvantaged backgrounds who have a life-long condition are three times more likely to be hampered by their condition. This can lead to lower life satisfaction, particularly for children whose daily activity is impaired due to their condition or disability. It can also impact their self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and chances in life.* Our partnership with paediatric clinics through HSE Mid-West enables us to make creative opportunities accessible for marginalised children. This gives some of the most vulnerable children in Tipperary, the Mid-West and across Ireland the opportunity for connection, belonging, imagination and joy, made possible through the strength of community and collaboration of these partnerships.”

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Free tie-in events, including on Cruinniú na nÓg, June 7.

Special events are happening in tandem with the exhibition in Súil Gallery as follows:

A family-friendly exhibition launch celebration on Saturday, 24th May from 2-3:30pm, with everyone welcome. Registration is welcomed in advance for this free event by emailing info@helium.ie.

On Cruinniú na nÓg on June 7, from 10:30am to 12 midday, a free creative taster workshop is taking place exclusively for children (ages 8–12) living with lifelong physical health conditions, with professional artists and on-site medical support.

Registration is required in advance by emailing hello@helium.ie with ‘7th June Workshop’ in the subject line.

On Cruinniú na nÓg on June 7, an Open Studio drop-in event is happening from 2-4pm. All are welcome to experience this art taster, with no booking required and free entry.

Welcoming the Ennis exhibition, director of Creative Ireland Tania Banotti said: “Creative Ireland is proud to support the ‘Journeys’ exhibitions in Ennis ─ a powerful showcase of creativity, resilience and inclusion. Through the work of Helium Arts and their collaboration with HSE Mid-West, this exhibition gives a voice to children and young people living with lifelong health conditions.

“The exhibition is supported through the Creative Youth Nurture Fund and the Creative Health and Wellbeing Pillar of the Creative Ireland Programme. These initiatives highlight our commitment to strengthening equity of access to creative activities for the most seldom heard children and young people. This work exemplifies Helium Art’s vision of an Ireland where all children are connected to their creative powers so they can live life to the full.”

Helium Arts has also been awarded a RTÉ Toy Show Appeal grant by Community Foundation Ireland to deliver a programme in paediatric clinics in the Mid-West.

Commenting on the Ennis art exhibition, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland Denise Charlton said: ‘The magic of the RTÉ Toy Show continues every day thanks to partners like Helium Arts. As a philanthropic hub, we believe that access to the arts is an equality issue. The colour, the joy, the excitement generated by art must be open to everyone. ‘Journeys’ allows us to share in the creativity of the young artists who have opened up their hearts. Congratulations to everyone involved from all of us at the Foundation and the Toy Show Appeal.’

The creative producer and curator of the exhibition, Dublin-based artist Jinny Ly, who is a child of Vietnamese boat refugees who resettled in California, United States, said: “The Ennis exhibition is about the children’s journey in building independence, confidence and self-esteem.”

Jinny added: “In my experience, children from refugee families and marginalised communities have to grow up really fast and that’s why Helium Arts’ workshops and activities are so important for them ─ so that they can play and be creative, as children should.”

‘Journeys – Everything Begins Somewhere’ is running at Súil Gallery, Ennis, Co Clare from Saturday, May 24 to Saturday, June 7 during gallery opening hours. Admission is free and it will also feature fun, free activities for all ages.

For more information see www.heliumarts.ie