)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Miriam Spollen
The Art Room in Stewarts Care has been teaching the arts to our Service Users for many years. As part of our day services, between 30 to 40 of our Service Users participate in group projects and individual classes every single week. Some Service Users are highly interested in fine art and produce wonderful pieces while others simply enjoy the quiet time and the chance to socialise with others in a safe space. Art, in all its forms, is valued and celebrated in Stewarts Care to foster creativity and relaxation.
)
Miriam Spollen has been working in The Art Room for the past four years. She did her BA in Design and worked in the fashion industry for many years before returning to university to complete a Postgrad in Community Arts. She then followed this up by completing a pilot program run by Stewarts Care called Community Arts for the Disabled, leading to her career in Stewarts Care.
)
In the classes, Service Users can work with mosaics, print, all kinds of paints and pastels and they do a lot of work with recycled materials from ReCreate, an art materials and supply centre in Dublin. Depending on the time of year or what’s going on, The Art Room will be involved in different projects, like the annual Stewarts Care St. Patrick’s Day parade or turning Stewarts Care into a Winter Wonderland at Christmas.
)
In June 2019, The Art Room held their first exhibition showcasing the artwork produced by staff and Service Users in the classes. It was such a big success; Miriam wants to keep doing it so that the world can experience the beautiful art created at Stewarts Care.
)
Miriam loves working with the Service Users and is always promoting the arts within Stewarts Care. It is her mission to do more with the Services Users so they can continue to explore their creativity. She believes that you should never underestimate the power of the arts when working with intellectual disabilities. Miriam always says, “It’s not about the final product, it’s about the process.”