Arts Round-up NI MENTAL HEALTH ARTS FESTIVAL
Noelle McAlinden with Tommy Long, visual artist and arts facilitator.
The NI Mental Health Arts Festival (NIMHAF) took place from 10-16 May 2021 (to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week). As a response to the call for a Loneliness Strategy in Northern Ireland, this year’s festival included a specially commissioned publication on the theme of ‘Loneliness’ which linked to artworks, soundscapes and dance pieces on the NIMHAF website. This year’s festival was officially launched at Framewerks Gallery, Belfast. In attendance were artists EG Dunne and Wee Nuls, and Noelle McAlinden, NI Mental Health Arts Festival board member, artist, curator and arts activist. This year’s programme contained varied, vivid arts events which created a platform for high-quality artwork that deals compassionately and intelligently with mental health. Events included: The Art of Conversation with Noelle McAlinden, a series of authentic conversations with fellow creatives across NI; and The Art of Loneliness Panel Discussion which saw artists and performers reflecting on the theme of loneliness. Hosted by Noelle McAlinden and Frank Liddy, the panel also featured invited guests: Joe Nawaz, Nuala McKeever, Lorna Smyth, Siobhan Ferguson, Mel Bradley, Matt Deery and John Deery. For more information: www.nimhaf. org
The Art of Loneliness Panel
ENLIGHTEN EXHIBITION Hambly & Hambly is a unique gallery and multi-purpose space for the North West designed around a core belief in the value of arts, culture, conservation and education. Situated in the Grade II listed Dunbar House in Enniskillen, the gallery celebrates art of all mediums with a strong vision of progression, development and collaboration. In June the Gallery will run “At Home With Hambly & Hambly”, a special feature which will extend from the basement gallery throughout the house and include exhibitions, interviews and discussions of works by Wolfgang Buttress, Eamon Colman, Gary Robinson and Anna Hryniewicz. Part of the programme will include the launch of Hambly & Hambly’s new exhibition, ENLIGHTEN 14, which profiles the activities and outcomes of an exciting year for this innovative gallery and cultural hub. ENLIGHTEN features winning pieces of art from the fortnightly callout the gallery have been making to artists of all mediums. Hambly & Hambly are delighted by the huge number of artists participating in the initiative which is a response to other artists’ works in a visual art
relay. Gallery owner and director Ciara Hambly, said: “The quality of the work submitted in response to the ENLIGHTEN challenge has been superb, exceeding all our expectations. We look forward to showcasing the winning and highly commended pieces in the ENLIGHTEN exhibition alongside a feature of works by our long-standing represented artists and some welcome newcomers who are creating bodies of work specifically for this innovate show.” Hambly & Hambly are particularly thrilled to welcome a new collection of paintings from the internationally award-winning sculptor Wolfgang Buttress who fully endorses the gallery’s initiatives: “I am delighted to be presenting new work at the unique and innovative Hambly & Hambly gallery in June 2021 for the ENLIGHTEN exhibition. The new pieces have been informed by the landscape of the north of Ireland which inspired the sculpture Rise.” The ENLIGHTEN exhibition opens on the 19th June 2021. For more information on the gallery, visit: hamblyandhambly.com
Profit & Loss Oil on canvas Laurence O’Toole.
Carlo Gebler reads his writing at Hambly & Hambly.
THE ULSTER HALL CELEBRATES ITS 159TH BIRTHDAY! The Ulster Hall, which has been the pulse of Belfast’s live entertainment scene and night-time economy, has recently celebrated its 159th birthday. If walls could talk, they would tell stories of Charles Dickens’ famous Christmas Carol reading, guitar melodies by rock-legends Red Hot Chilli Peppers and stunning performances by the Ulster Hall gig, photo: Ulster Orchestra. Although still closed due to the Tremaine Gregg COVID-19 pandemic, the Ulster Hall still celebrated its birthday and iconic identity with an online campaign reminiscing past events, emotional connections and incredible #IWasThereWhen moments. After the revolutionary Live from the Ulster Hall digital series, the prestigious status of the Ulster Hall is not slowing down with the top artists wanting to play the iconic venue in 2022 and beyond. Check out what’s coming up at www.ulsterhall.co.uk 68
