Noelle speaks to artists about mental health as part of NI Mental Health Arts Festival

The aim of the festival is to spark inspiring and challenging conversations about mental health issues, fighting stigma and promoting wellbeing via active creativity.

This year’s NIMHAF festival, which Noelle is a Board member of, will run from May 10 to 16 to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, and will feature a programme of varied, vivid arts events that aim to create a platform for high-quality artwork that deals compassionately and intelligently with mental health.

‘The Art of Conversation with Noelle McAlinden’ is a dedicated focus on artists, creatives and cultural champions reflecting on their sources of inspiration, their self expression and highlighting the importance of creativity and the arts on mental health and wellbeing.

For this special edition of the video series, which was recorded by Enniskillen local Padraig Lunny, of Lunny Imaging, Noelle met with eight artists and practitioners across visual and performing arts.

She said: “Never before has our mental health and wellbeing been so importantm and yet it is our creativity and self-expression that often can help us get through the most challenging times. The Arts have a huge role to play.

“I am delighted to be supporting this year’s NIMHAF with a dedicated film – The Art of Conversation with Noelle McAlinden – [focusing on] creativity, self-expression and mental health.

“It’s a commissioned film reflecting with fellow artists, performers and cultural champions filmed in Strabane and Londonderry, featuring Maurice Harron, Jenni Doherty, John Deery, Francis Rafferty, Ollie Green, Felicity McCall, Tommy Long and Barry Turton.

“I am also delighted to be hosting with Frank Liddy a dedicated panel discussion on ‘The Art of Loneliness’, with invited guests, performers and artists across Northern Ireland, incluing Nuala McKeever, Joe Nawaz, Lorna Smyth, Siobhan Ferguson, John and Matt Deery, Mel Bradley.

“They will all be reflecting on the theme of loneliness, what we have learned from lockdown, and what strategies are used to support people in these challenging times.”

Noelle continued: “I met with internationally-renowned artist and sculptor Maurice Harron beside his iconic sculpture, ‘Let the Dance begin’, on the Strabane/Lifford border.

“We meet Jenni Doherty, published author, poet and spoken word performer and owner of The Little Acorns Bookstore in Foyle Street, Londonderry,” she continued.

Noelle also interviews John Deery, of John Deery and the Heads; spoken word artist and poet, Frank Rafferty; former journalist and broadcaster, Felicity Hall; Ollie Green, director of Studio 2; as well as visual artists and educators, Tommy Long and Barry Turton.

During the festival, there will also be a dedicated panel discussion on ‘The Art of Loneliness’, hosted by Noelle accompanied by her fellow NIMHAF Board member, Frank Liddy, and featuring a range of guests, including Joe Nawaz, broadcaster; artist, Nuala McKeever; Fermanagh artist, Lorna Smyth; brothers John and Matt Deery, of John Deery and the Heads; Fermanagh artist, Siobhan Ferguson; and performance artist, Mel Bradley.

Visit the NIMHAF website for more details on the festival’s varied programme of online events.

I met with Eight Artists,Practitioners across Visual and Performing Arts

A rough overview.

See photos .

I met with internationally renowned Artist and Sculptor Maurice Harron beside his iconic Sculptures " Let the Dance begin" on the Strabane Lifford Border.Appropriate as we as artists and public wish to re emerge and enjoy Live performances,embrace eachother and the Arts.

Jenni Doherty Author and Owner Little Acorns Bookstore.

We meet Jenni Doherty,Published author,Poet and Spoken word performer and Owner of The Little Acorns Bookstore in Foyle Street Derry

Reflect on her journey as an author,love of reading and now her own business.

Her encouragement of reading and writing and profile of Local,Regional as well as emerging and established Authors.The dedicated projects she has been involved in and how she continues to mentor and support others.She read one of her own poems inspired by her twin brother.

John Deery

Musician,Singer,songwriter,Artist,Activist,Film maker,Educator lead singer with John Deery and the Heads

Artist,Educator,Mental Health Activist

Delighted to meet John in The Craft Village in Derry ~ Londonderry

Discussed his many different roles and his passion for creativity and the arts.

His career as a musician and educator,the impact of the Pandemic on live gigs and his forthcoming Album launch on May 1st.We also discussed his contribution to NIMHAF his short films and his research into Mental Health and the Arts.

Frank Rafferty,Spoken word Artist and poet

Met Frank over at Ebrington where we discussed his role at Blue bell Arts,his facilitation work with CAP and his various roles at festivals and speakeasy events.The positive aspects of Lockdown saw him diversify across a range of platforms learning new skills,using technology to provide online learning and develop his own skills.This permitted him to connect and reconnect in a greater diversity of people,stakeholders regional and international.Frank read his poem NHS from The end of the Peace Bridge.

Maurice Harron Sculptor.Educator,Cultural Champion.

Felicity Mc Call

We later met Felicity Mc Call,

Author,producer ,former journalist and broadcaster with BBC working now as a facilitator with Ollie Green Studio 2

A wealth of credits to date with published work and facilitated work with First Responders.She too has been working throughout the Pandemic on a number of projects fiction as well as documentary in nature COVID has impacted on access to performance as well as audience development.

Ollie Green

Ollie Green the Director of Studio 2 Greater Shantallow Community Partnership.

Spoke about their dedicated plans and pathway through from Recovery to Discovery, their active community response to Programme for Goverment and the Mental Health Strategy for NI.The Role of the Arts and his ongoing committment along with volunteers to impact change in a fractured context.

Tommy Long Visual Artist Educator

Tommy Long Visual Artist we

I met Tommy in his dedicated studio where he facilitated workshops and educational programmes on behalf of Studio 2 also former Lecturer SWRegional College Enniskillen Discussions about his own practice,the challenges as well as opportunities of Lockdown on his own Practice and the need for investing in Health and Well being for himself and those he supports.

Barry Turton Visual Artist,Educator,Mentor

A fine artist who is also a Father,husband and carer of his brother in law of profound special needs.

His art has been both inspired by and a direct outcome of the Pandemic.He has felt fulfilled and productive in creating and showcasing work and knows and recognises his ongoing role as a mentor,Educator and support to many embracing art and finding these challenging times

There is also a dedicated Panel Discussion on " The Art of Loneliness" hosted by Noelle Mc Alinden and Frank Liddy board members of NIMHAF with guests

Joe NAWAZ (Belfast )

Nuala Mc Keever Broadcaster and Artist (Belfast )

Lorna Smyth Artist (Fermanagh )

John and Matt Deery Brothers,Artists and Performers and members of John Deery and the Heads.(Derry )

Siobhan Ferguson Artist Fermanagh

Mel Bradley Performance Artist.Derry