At the instigation of Oberon Arts Council member Fran Charge, Arts OutWest was asked to partner with the Oberon Arts Council to present an arts program. OMPS manager Christine Symington was approached in April 2018 to gauge the interest in the development of an arts program for users of the centre.

An outcome of this meeting was that two pilot programs were presented beginning May 2018. Both on Thursdays one at the residential care unit and the other at the Robey Independent Living Centre.

Throughout these workshops the abilities and interests of the participants have been considered. Individual programs are developed dependent on these interests. The two groups, Independent Living and the residents, were combined and everyone gathered around the large table in the dining room. Participants who we usually work with as individuals became part of a group: The Art Group.

At lunch time everyone sits down for lunch together. There is talking and laughter over the meal. The combined meal is so important capping off the social event that is The Art Group.

As the pilot was so successful we began a long-term project, The Waiting Room Project.

We identified a waiting room area in the hospital (pictured) that needed to be made into a happy and cheerful place for mothers, young children and people of all ages waiting for community health services. We made bright banners to hang in the space. The room was refurbished and hadn't been finished so we hung the banners in the sun room.

Painting on materials with silk screen printing ink. Learning how silk screen inks work. Development of two designs with symbols and colours. Changing colours with designs. One of the participants moved the sewing machine into her room and hemmed the banners. Cards were made using fabric and paint trials.

The Art Group is partnered by Oberon Multipurpose Service, Oberon Arts Council and Arts OutWest.

Arts OutWest would like to thank all staff, participants, their family and friends for supporting this project.