Donegal women find hope and healing through art

Donegal women who participated in a wellbeing and support programme for women who have experienced a cancer diagnosis are building solidarity through art.

The programme was designed and facilitated by Geraldine Timlin, Artist and registered art psychotherapist at The Avant Garden.

With the support of copper artist Siobhán Fox of Changing Tides Studio, participants transform sheets of copper into beautiful works of art that are now on display at the Artlink exhibition panels in Swan Park, Buncrana, until the end of September.

The theme of the artwork is ‘Blooming’ with a message of hope, resilience, and strength: ‘That you are not just a survivor but a garden grown from grit and grace.’

Developed in response to a visible lack of alternative therapeutic support programmes for women living with and beyond cancer in Donegal and informed by the recognition that, while medical treatment addresses the physical aspects of cancer, there remains a significant gap in accessible, creative, and psychologically informed aftercare support.

The aim of the programme was to offer a relaxed and empowering space for women to take time out for themselves, engage in mindful art activities, and connect with other women while building solidarity and supportive friendships within their community.

Programme sessions were structured around creative art-making processes, supported by reflective discussion. This approach allowed participants to engage at their own pace, with creativity acting as a foundation for deeper exploration and connection.

Participants shared that the programme became much more than an art class. It was a place where they felt safe, supported, and understood by women who had walked a similar path. For many, it became the highlight of their week, a chance to step away from the challenges of cancer, focus on themselves, and simply enjoy the moment.

Through creativity, conversation, and connection, women discovered confidence they didn't know they had, learned new skills, found moments of peace, and, most importantly, realised they were not alone.

A spokesperson for Women's Collective Ireland-Donegal said, “Thank you to every woman who shared her journey with us. Your courage, openness, laughter, and support for one another created something truly special.

“A heartfelt thank you to our fantastic facilitator, Geraldine, whose kindness, encouragement, and creativity helped every participant believe in themselves and embrace the joy of trying something new. To Siobhán for working with the women to create this display and to Artlink for providing the opportunity to share the programme's work with the public.

“We would also like to thank the HSE Donegal Connecting for Life Programme for providing community grant funding, which allows opportunities like these to be offered to women across Donegal.”

Further Art of Discovery programmes will be run this year in Letterkenny and Stranorlar in September and Buncrana in November.

For more information, please email Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal on [email protected] or call 0858638419.