Creative skills set to WOW

The creative skills of mental health consumers will be showcased in the 12th annual Windows to Our World (WOW) art exhibition, which opens at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) on 9 October.

The 200 artworks on display during October have been created by inpatients enrolled in the Meaningful Activities Program (MAP) at the RBWH’s mental health unit.

It will also feature key pieces from guest artists Kym Barrett and Levi Huston.

MAP is a non-compulsory program made available to all inpatients to assist in their recovery from mental health issues. The tailor-made programs provide inpatients with the opportunity to participate in meaningful activities and help develop a variety of skills including creativity and social interaction. The artworks created during their time in MAP are showcased via the WOW exhibition.

Mental Health Occupational Therapy Assistant Coordinator, Emily Wotherspoon, said this year’s WOW was themed Shine to encourage creative thinking and the freedom of interpretation.

“MAP is an invaluable tool that gives patients an immense sense of pride, confidence and self-belief,” Emily said.

The activities help to build a sense of community on the ward and facilitate both communication and interaction in a group setting.

We try to explore healthy living options through activities like cooking, exercise, relaxation and supply patients with discharge information about community groups where they may be able to further develop skills.

Activities such as journaling and painting encourage patients to express their emotions in a positive and creative way.

Emily said the program was very popular among patients due to its array of activities.

WOW will be staged until the end of October in Artspace, located on the ground floor of Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital, in the walkway between the Ned Hanlon and Joyce Twedell buildings.

Media contact: 07 3647 9522