Staff and community were invited to participate in an arts workshop with Artist Lara Merrett to create a collaborative mural for the future mental health courtyard.
More than 40 community members of all ages joined us at the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment Office on Wednesday 30 June 2025 for a drop-in art workshop with artist Lara Merrett.
Despite the wet weather, the event was a huge success with participants ranging in age from 7 to 70 , including staff, local residents, arts society members, mental health workers and mental health consumers.
Using native plants and the photographic process of cyanotype printing, attendees created unique blue-and-white prints that will be worked into a collaborative collage for the mental health courtyard in the new hospital building.
“It was so special to see community come together through a creative process,” said artist Lara Merrett.
“These moments of connection and creativity are exactly what we hope to see reflected in the final artwork, something that speaks to both healing and belonging.”
The workshop reinforced the important role that art can play in healthcare settings, promoting wellbeing, inclusion and emotional connection. For one community member, the opportunity to contribute was deeply personal.
“As someone who’s experienced the mental health system, being able to give back through this project meant so much,” said a local community member. “It made us feel like we’re part of something positive and lasting.”
The project team was thrilled with the level of engagement and enthusiasm on the day and looks forward to creating more opportunities for community to contribute to the redevelopment.
The Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment is on track for completion in 2027 and will deliver expanded, modern facilities designed with community, culture and Country in mind.
For more information on how you can get involved visit the Shoalhaven Hospital Redevelopment project website and learn more about Lara Merrett's work in the second artist announcement media release.