2022 Festival
The 2022 festival ran from 9-15 May 2022 (to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week) with a programme of varied, vivid arts events - online and IRL! in real life - that aim to create a platform for high-quality artwork that deals compassionately and intelligently with mental health.
Festival Director Dawn Richardson:
'Through our shared rich culture of the Arts, we can challenge stigma and mental-health inequalities in our systems and society.
We can support the recovery and wellbeing of those who have experienced mental-health issues through accessible, interactive, empowering arts projects.
NI Mental Health Arts Festival is created by, and for, those who have faced mental-health challenges and who are often missed by both the arts and health education models -providing a space where people can gain insight & share experiences.'
The theme of this year's festival is 'GATHER'. Writing in a specially-produced publication for the 2022 festival, Richardson writes:
"Did you know that a group of puffins is called a ‘Gathering’?
The cute little buggers decide to make Rathlin their home for a few months every year to breed, eat, squabble and clown about, before off they go back to sea without even a thought about putting the bins out or turning off the immersion.
How wonderful it is to have the freedom to be with others. To spend time with those you love, to argue with those whose opinions differ to yours, to avoid those that hurt you and to forgive those that you can tolerate.
The festival is dedicated to all those who do not have the ability to gather in safety – be that in protest, in war, in persecution or in health. It is a privilege to have the physical and mental health to get about in this world safely and without fear, the time and space to gather one’s thoughts – a privilege we seldom appreciated until it was gone.
The world keeps turning, we will gather way and the puffins will return.
Thank you to the festival team and our funders."
11 May
Sunflower Pub
Comedy Club
Night of stand-up comedy for NIMHAF & Mental Health Awareness week.
12 May
McAlinden & Willis
The Power of Arts, Advocacy & Activism
The Power of Arts, Advocacy & Activism on our Mental Health and Well-Being.
14 May
Tessa Ann
Sound Mindfulness Experience
Sound experience promoting relaxation and mindfulness.
14 May
Belfast Exposed
Photography Treasure Hunt
Fun photography workshop capturing Belfast’s rich architectural heritage.
Throughout
Rachel Reid McCann
'Gather' playlist
Selection of curated music around the theme of 'Gather'
Throughout
Void Derry/Londonderry
Art packs
Three wonderful, fun art packs available specially for NIMHAF.
Throughout
Jasmin Marker
Manifesto for Wilderness
Publication examining injustices that people with ADHD face.
Throughout
Sal Hanvey
Gather our senses
'Gather our senses' cooking workshop - Flat bread and Tzatziki dip.
Throughout
Stephanie Gaumond
Everyday Drawing for Mindfulness
Short mindfulness drawing meditations that allow you to take a break and relieve stress.
Throughout
Ruth Osbourne
Mindful-Mark Making
Mindful mark-making workshop using objects from around your home.
10 & 13 May
Mel Bradley
The Kitchen Table
The Kitchen Table – Creative Writing workshop with Mel Bradley.
12 May
Zoe McSparron
Explorative Drawing
Create your own layered images responding to objects in the current exhibition.
12 May
Seamus Heaney Centre
Mind
Readings and performances in 7 minutes or less - an evening all about MIND.
13 May
Seefin
Live Performance
Drawing on influences from classical, folk and traditional music, Seefin create a sound all of their own.
14 May
Jack McGarrigle
'Fool's Spring' Workshop
Workshop using the themes in Niamh Roberts ‘Fool’s Spring (in Berlin)’ work as a starting point.
14 May
Helen Merrigan Colfer & Noelle Mc Alinden
Tribes & Tribulations
Helen Merrigan Colfer in conversation with Noelle Mc Alinden
15 May
Richardson & Brennan
Roonivoolin Unnamed Road
Big screen premiere of an improvised document of an artistic gathering on Ireland's most northerly island - Rathlin.
Throughout
John Macormac
Rule Driven shape version 5
Video that makes Macormac's unique drawing process visible.
Throughout
Heather Byrne
Gathering found objects for drawing
Fun and creative drawing workshop with found objects.
Throughout
Jonny McEwen
T o g a t h e r
Exhibition exploring the landscape of the mind through semi figurative studies
Throughout
DARDIS
Hydro
Ambient sound artist DARDIS invites you to get immersed in sound through Hydro, an instrumental meditative album on the theme of water.
Throughout
Jennifer Willis
Seen to be Heard
Compelling solo exhibition of portraits honouring 16 female participants living with the challenges of Secondary Breast Cancer.
Throughout
Brain Injury Matters
A Piece of Me ...
Group exhibition exploring the theme of ‘Gather’ and its meaning to Brain Injury Matters artists.
Throughout
Sinead Crumlish
Paper craft and weaving workshop
Spring Butterfly Paper Craft workshop
Throughout
Jonathan Bailie
Quiet
He isn't talking about his problems. He's keeping them to himself. Becoming consumed. Isolated. Until it’s too late...
Throughout
Leanne McLaughlin
Rag Rug Tutorial
Learn how to make your own simple rag rug with this fun tutorial
10 May
Marcus Patton
Drawing buildings workshop
Guided drawing workshop with the renowned artist and architect.
12 May
Hosford Garden Group
Creative Miniature Gardening
Creative Miniature Gardening drop-in session
13 - 15 May
Re-Vision
Half Way Out Of The Dark
Archival exhibition to be explored amid the importance of mental health and well-being.
14 May
Strand Arts Centre
Trolls: Emotions Workshop for Children
Film and emotions-themed workshop for children
14 May
Figure This Life Drawing
Hybrid life drawing class
'Figure This' returns to the festival with an extra special hybrid life drawing class.
14 May
Zoe Mc Sparron
Junk Sculptures Family Workshop
Drop-in session for parents and their children. Try a range of creative activities together.
Throughout
Sinéad O'Neill-Nicholl
I too walked
Contemplative and unsettling listening experience.
Throughout
Phil Kieran
The Quiet Land
Newly scored music to accompany archive film ‘The Quiet Land’.
Throughout
Leon Clowes
3 Voice Pieces from Days Of Future Past
Three-part long-form radio collage piece
Throughout
Noelle McAlinden
The Art of Conversation
Noelle McAlinden in conversation with a host of creatives in venues throughout Belfast.
Throughout
NIMHAF
'Gather' 2022 Publication
Read the NI Mental Health Arts Festival 2022 Publication on the theme of 'Gather'.
Throughout
Damo Scrawls
Scratchings, Abstractions, Stabs in the Dark
Exhibition of new work at The Strand Arts Centre.
Throughout
Elspeth Vischer
Spontaneity Moves
Spontaneity Moves is a short documentary featuring renowned artist, Jack Packenham, in conversation.
Throughout
Katharine Paisley and Phil Keers
Control Room
A collaborative exhibition exploring concepts of control and reality.
Throughout
Hayley Gault
Gather
Hayley Gault is a sheep farmer working on her family farm in East Antrim.
Throughout
Hannah Loudon & Dr Emma Loudon
Thanks Therapy! Podcast
Informative and light-hearted discussion of all things therapy and mental health.