Artists in Residence in the BHSCT

CARMEL GARVEY

Carmel Garvey Dancer-in-Residence and Choreographer/ Project Artist, Belfast and Western Health and Social Care Trusts. Carmel has 30 years’ experience in Dance and Education which she brings to her role in healthcare. She has a Master’s First-Class Honours Degree in Dance and Health (University of Limerick) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance (U.L.). In addition, she holds a Diploma in Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Alliance U.K., Laban Guild Primary and Advanced Contemporary Dance Training, Fitness Northern Ireland Dance to Music Training, National Diploma Performing Arts. Carmel has 12 years’ experience as Arts Care’s Dancer in Residence, Choreographer and Project Artist. Carmel delivers her practice into wards and services including Older People and Disability. She is passionate about integrating the message of ‘Inclusion’ within her work and delivers this message through her work with Arts Care’s Dance Companies; Orbit, Kompany Maine, Inclusion Dance, and Lisnaskea Ladies. The Dance Companies perform at many Health/Community Events Carmel has achieved many accolades and awards in her career. One of her outstanding achievements as Director /Choreographer of ‘Castlederg Ladies Dance Company, was to bring the team through as three-time winners of the U.K. Championships. Performing at the, Royal Albert Hall, London.  

FRANK HOLMES

Frank Holmes, artist in residence in Belfast Health & Social Care Trust. My residency is split between Muckamore Abbey Hospital, and Royal Victoria Hospital. I graduated from Ulster University 1990 with BA(Hons) Fine Art. I am a self employed artist, working in Healthcare for 27 years, offering bespoke workshops for individuals, small, and large groups for both patients, service users, and staff. Projects have included murals in Muckamore Abbey Hospital, Spoons Resturant (RVH), promoted patients art works within Health Care Arts Care Art Galleries, and Hosting our Annual Arts Awards in Muckamore Abbey Hospital. An important part of my role is to promote the arts in healthcare within the Trust, and this includes writing reports, and collecting data both quantitative and qualitative, and visual imagery, with patient consent. I have engaged in colloborative work with Speech & Language, Musicans, Dance movement, and other artist in residence. 

Grainne kielty

Beth McComish

brendan popplestone

Brendan Popplestone is a freelance musician, facilitator and composer who has been working for Arts Care as Musician in Residence, based in the Belfast Area and Project Artist since 1995. Before that he worked in day care management until he saw an opportunity to marry his health work experience with his love of sharing music. He has continued his own practice writing and recording music and views his mission in life to share a love of music with as many people as possible.

Helen Shields

Clare Mccomish

Clare McComish Clare is a visual artist, maker working in a range of mediums. Her personal studio practice is primarily in ceramics, but she also creates multi-material architectural artworks for public and private spaces. Clare has been an Arts Care artist in residence and project artist for over fifteen years. Throughout this time Arts Care service users have included Adult and Children’s Palliative Care Services, Dementia Services, Looked after Children in NIHSC Homes, Unaccompanied Refugee Minors, Adult and Children’s Acute Mental Health In Patient Units. Addiction’s Support Services, Older People’s Services and Bereavement Services. Clare also works with service providers, multidisciplinary clinical and allied health professionals. This includes arts projects and creatively facilitating at health care conferences.