An initiative that began as an effort to decorate the "endless corridors" of Waterford Regional Hospital has evolved over the past decade into one of the country's most innovative arts programmes.
Built in 1988, the hospital's architecture was designed to make it look as unlike a traditional hospital as possible. Instead of the usual towering, monumental hospital structure, the building is a combination of two and three-storey areas around enclosed courtyards. The downside of the design was the profusion of corridors which challenged the navigational skills of visitors.
For the sake of aesthetics, and to assist visitors in finding their way round the building, Dr Abdul Bulbulia, a well-known Waterford GP, suggested the hospital be enhanced through the use of the visual arts. His vision and impetus led to the formation of an arts committee which has since evolved into the Waterford Healing Arts Trust (WHAT).
Introducing the trust's first publication, WHAT's art, on Monday, the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, said he was "taken aback" but delighted when he first heard of the work being done by the trust.
The project, he said, had enhanced the environment for patients, staff and visitors to the hospital, which is the largest in the south-east.
Since 1994 an active healing arts department has delivered a year-round programme, with the support of the South Eastern Health Board, the Arts Council, FAS and Waterford Corporation.
Concerts, exhibitions, dance, puppetry, drama and photographic projects all form part of the programme, while original artworks are purchased from time to time. Emerging artists are provided with space in an old hospital unit adjacent to the main building as part of an "artists-in-studio" scheme.
In an introduction to WHAT's art Dr Bulbulia said the arts "have a positive, life-enhancing role. "Creativity and imagination stimulate the spirit. Feeling better is an essential part of getting better. Those working in hospital, whose energies are focused on care, cannot but be uplifted by an environment enriched through art."