Mercy Place Parkville Hosts Inaugural Art Expo

On Friday 16 August 2024, Mercy Place Parkville held its first-ever Art Exhibition, showcasing the creative talents of both residents and staff. The event was a celebration of artistic expression, featuring a variety of works, including tapestry, knitting, stitching, watercolours, and acrylic paintings.

Gavin Young, Mercy Health’s Executive General Manager of Residential Operations, welcomed attendees with inspiring words. “Art is not just a form of expression; it plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall wellbeing of our residents,” he said. “Engaging in creative activities, much like those our fantastic Lifestyle Coordinators facilitate across Mercy Health, is known to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, and boost mood. For our residents, creating art offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to explore their creativity and share their personal stories in meaningful ways.”

The expo also highlighted future plans for expanding artistic opportunities at Mercy Place Parkville. Jaice Mathew, Service Manager, announced the introduction of a new art program designed to further enrich the lives of residents. The program will include the creation of an art studio called ‘Creative Corner’ on Level 1, near Room 55. This space will be dedicated to helping residents explore various art forms, tailored to their individual interests and abilities.

Cr Roshena Campbell from the City of Melbourne attended the event and expressed her enthusiasm for the exhibition. “The City of Melbourne is thrilled to have this art exhibition here at Mercy Place Parkville, particularly profiling an outstanding local artist, Barry Dickins, who commenced his career in Carlton. It is an honour to have him exhibiting here in our municipality again. We are also delighted to see so many new emerging artists in our city, and I am thrilled to hear about the arts program that no doubt will develop many more talents,” she said.

Barry Dickins, the featured local artist and resident of Mercy Place Parkville, also shared a few words, paying tribute to his father and family for their support throughout his artistic journey.

The community’s response to the event was positive, with many praising the talent on display and the platform provided by Mercy Place Parkville. Residents and family members in attendance were particularly excited about the announcement of the new Creative Corner, eager to engage in more artistic endeavours.

The Art Expo will continue to run for the next two weeks, offering everyone the opportunity to visit Mercy Place Parkville (1 Willam Street, Parkville, Victoria) and experience the incredible creativity of its residents and staff.