WHO ARE WE?
Bloom | The Art Project was founded by Fiona and Aisling after discovering their shared vision to bring joy and happiness to people and communities through art. Through this project, we want to show that you do not need to be a professional or have a degree in fine art to benefit greatly from doing something creative. We encourage all skill levels and the more 'mistakes' the better! We believe that art can be a powerful tool to tap into our thoughts, feelings and emotions. It can give us a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Through our murals and online workshops, we want to empower people to grow, to overcome and to look forward to a happier future.
FIONA
I have always had a passion for art, it was my favourite subject in school, and I studied Art, Craft and Design for a year after school. I then studied Psychology as I was always interested in people and helping those around me. Since finishing my degree, I decided to combine my love for art and psychology, and completed further study in Art Therapy, which has helped me to really understand how art can help others, especially with mental health. Promoting positive mental health has become an important aspect of the work I want to achieve. I spent a number of months in Sri Lanka working with communities suffering with severe mental health issues. I ran many art workshops with the locals to alleviate symptoms and to use it as a communication tool due to the language barrier. Since then, I've got great experience working as a Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing worker and a social care worker. I encouraged young people to voice their concerns about mental health and supported them in developing a website that highlights mental health services in their area. I am also a volunteer with Helium Arts, where I facilitate art workshops for kids with chronic illness. Between my own artwork, my studies and the fantastic professional experience I have gained throughout the years, I have seen first hand how much art can benefit people of all ages. I can't wait to develop this project more and to bring more art and creativity into Irish communities.
AISLING
Greetings! My name is Aisling and I am 25 years old. I originate from Kentstown, Navan in County Meath, where I currently reside. I studied Neuroscience in UCD for four years. I have always had a passion for art and creativity, and working with people and communities. When Fiona and I got talking about this project, it was a no brainer (pun intended) that it was something I would love to get involved in. My background in Neuroscience has given me a deep understanding of the positive effects that art and creativity have on the brain and thus the individual. I am really looking forward to using my knowledge about the brain to develop this project into something practical and grounded in research that can benefit local communities around us.
I am incredibly enthusiastic about art and promoting a sense of meaning, purpose, and joy. I have always dreamed of creating an environment where people can come to and be fully engaged, with no mental chatter, distractions or checking of phones, just a happy escape from the external world. I am enrolled on the Level 8 Principles of Art Therapy course for 2021 which will take place over 6 months. I am very excited to get started on the course and learn more about the artistic therapeutic process. I also volunteer with Fighting Words, a creative writing centre in Dublin. Here, I facilitate workshops in which kids come up with their own stories and I illustrate it for them.
