Colourful new art exhibition brings creativity to Gartnavel Royal Hospital

A colourful and inspiring exhibition showcasing artwork by in-patient artists at Gartnavel Royal Hospital and members of Project Ability’s ReConnect studios is now on display.

The exhibition was created in response to ‘Reflections’, the theme of this year’s Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF), and it brings together a diverse collection of original artwork celebrating creativity and self-expression.

Each year, Art in the Gart and Project Ability team up to present an exhibition at Gartnavel Royal Hospital as part of the SMHAF programme.

The partnership has flourished over the years, providing artists who are in-patients at Gartnavel Royal, alongside artists from Project Ability’s ReConnect studios, with an opportunity to exhibit their work and express themselves individually while exploring a shared theme.

This year’s exhibition was installed in the Art in the Gart Gallery space on the ground floor of The Hub at Gartnavel Royal Hospital on 19 October. It will remain on display until 1 September 2027, bringing colour and inspiration to the hospital’s walls.

Led by the Mental Health Foundation, the SMHAF is one of the world’s leading arts events dedicated to mental health.

Project Ability and Art in the Gart regularly work together to promote mental health and wellbeing through creativity and art-making.

Fiona Sinclair, Voluntary Services Manager at Gartnavel Royal Hospital, said:
“Art in the Gart is the Gartnavel Royal creatives and volunteer programme, which offers patients the chance to engage with art specialists across a range of media.

“On this occasion, Project Ability tutors and volunteers worked alongside in-patient artists to develop original drawings, paintings and collage.

“This artistic activity and the sociable, fun and creative environment in which it takes place, helps build self-confidence and enables self-expression.”

The exhibition highlights how creativity can provide opportunities for connection and self-expression, while giving artists a platform to share their individual work with patients, staff and visitors to Gartnavel Royal Hospital.

For more information, email Fiona Sinclair at Fiona.Sinclair13@nhs.scot.