In 2025, three members of our Arts for Health artist team undertook insightful and thought-provoking research projects to further develop their learning on working with older adults. As our current programme gets into full swing, we’re taking a moment to celebrate Sarah, Sharon, and Justin’s wonderful arts and health research!
Over the last couple of years, visual artist Sarah Ruttle has focused on exploring working with older people with visual impairment. She has been working to integrate sound and tactile resources into visual engagement methods. In 2025, this research developed into the collaborative project A Journey of Discovery. Participants in Schull Community Hospital created sensory aprons inspired by harvesting, mending, and kitchen stories, while residents in Banty General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Unit, wrote a song with Arts for Health musician Kate Liddell inspired by the same themes.
Visual artist Sharon dipity‘s research focused on drawing and mark-making with community hospital residents on the Arts for Health programme. Her work brings different types of movement into the drawing activity. Last year, Sharon collaborated with dance artist Helga Deasy and musician/composer Justin Grounds on a project exploring imagery and imagination through music, movement, and mark-making with residents at Skibbereen Community Hospital.
In his own research, Justin Grounds has focused on the connections between music and dementia. Having worked in arts and health spaces for over a decade, Justin spent time in 2025 sourcing and reading clinical studies on the science behind music’s effect on the brain, and how and why it can be beneficial for people with cognitive decline. Justin shared a presentation on his research with the Arts for Health Artist Team in November.
We’re delighted that the artist team will be continuing their arts and health research in 2026…more to be announced on that very soon!