Need to take a break? Want to get moving? Want to learn about our arts collection? Take a trip around our arts trails, available at the QMC and City Hospital.
‘I have loved seeing all the different collections of artwork and the stories they bring” Art trails participant
Click for more information about the trails.
Maps linked below:
The maps highlight the location of the trails and particular art works for B Floor, Central Route and D Floor, West Block QMC.
Map linked below:
Children's Hospital Art Trail.pdf.1MB
The maps highlight the location of the trails and particular art works for D and E Floor, East Block (Children's Hospital).
Seasoning the Seasons
A poem:
Spring is sharp like cherries
Summer is sweet like strawberries
Autumn is salty like soy sauce
Winter is sour like vinegar
Can you think of your own seasoning the seasons?
What is spring like?
What is summer like?
What is autumn like?
What is winter like?
Your turn - Food for thought:
Cows get Chatty
Your turn – Cowversation
Can you think about what the cows on the hospital walls might be thinking about?
If they could speak, what would they be saying to each other?
Dr Seuss
Are you ready to explore your creative side and let your imagination go wild?!
A poem:
Hospital
This hospital place is all very good,
It’s a great place for treatment, that’s understood.
But these days and the nights that I’ve got to stay here,
It’s really not quite what I’d planned for my year.
There are all kinds of games that I need to play,
Inventions to make up and tempers to fray.
Trees that need climbing and swings swinging free,
Mud, sand and sticky for spreading on me.
Sunny days sunning and rainy days wet,
Jumping and running alongside my pet.
Lazy days mooching wherever I’m led,
Then falling asleep in my own messy bed.
I’ve got plans to make up a three-act new show,
And some arrows to fire from my Robin Hood bow.
While I’m here I am hatching up all kinds of schemes,
Which provides me with hours of fantastical dreams.
Just wait till I’m better, I’ll jump on my bike,
I’ll bounce on the sofa and go for a hike.
I’ll be dancing and shouting and pounding my chest,
With all my energy saved from this super long rest.
Your Turn – Rhyming
Could you write your own rhyming story? Why not start with the theme of nature?!
The inspiration for this activity is the ‘Polnay’s Promenade’ Exhibition on E Floor in the Children’s Hospital.
Story Tiles Adventure!
Make your own story with the story tiles adventure activity. You can piece together your story in the same way that the tiles fit together. Just draw or write in the story tiles below to get your ideas started:
1. Who is your story going to be about?
You could look at the painted tiles for ideas or perhaps you’ll be making a story where you are the hero! Whoever it is, you need to introduce them, perhaps starting with their name…
2. Where is your story going to take place?
It could be anywhere! That’s the great thing about your imagination – you can go back in history or travel anywhere in the world. You can even go to outer space…
3. What’s the big challenge for the main character?
That’s what makes it an adventure. Whether they want to find the treasure or get home safely, you can make it as exciting or scary or fun as you like…
4. Why do they want to achieve the challenge?
This is the biggest question of all! And it’s always up to you to decide. Do they want to conquer their fear, save the world, or make sure that they’re back in time for tea?
5. How will they achieve their goal?
Will they have help from a new friend or find a magic map? Or perhaps they’ll do some really quick thinking or be a brave adventurer. It’s your story, you choose!
Maps linked below:
City Art Trail South Corridor.pdf.1MB
The maps show the route and particular art works for the trails on North and South Corridor at City Hospital.
If you would like a copy of the Adult Activity Sheets please email nuhnt.artsatnuh@nhs.net
Landscapes:
A poem:
I’m looking for a different place, a holiday
Somewhere elsewhere
Far from this mizzley grey day
Seasoning the Seasons
A poem:
Spring is sharp like cherries
Summer is sweet like strawberries
Autumn is salty like soy sauce
Winter is sour like vinegar
Can you think of your own seasoning the seasons?
What is spring like?
What is summer like?
What is autumn like?
What is winter like?
Your turn - Food for thought:
Goose Fair Poem
If you were to describe Goose Fair to someone who had never been – who had no idea what a fun fair was, even a visitor from another planet – what would you say?
Goose Fair Metaphors
Movement Activity
Take a moment to wake up your muscles.
If you are able, try some of these movements:
Being Present With Paintings
You can use any of the arts trails paintings as inspiration points for this activity.
Take a closer look at your favourite painting…
The Arts Trails are a partnership project between Arts at NUH and Active Hospitals kindly funded by Arts Council England National Lottery Project funds and Nottingham Hospitals Charity.
Arts at NUH is supported by donations to Nottingham Hospitals Charity – if you are interested in donating, please visit our website: Arts Programme At Nottingham's NHS | Nottingham Hospitals Charity
The Arts Trails project aims to improve our corridors for patients, staff and visitors in the following ways:
• Adding colour and life to walls with art works old and new.
• Providing information on key artworks and individuals along the trails.
• Sharing creative pieces, including writing and dance, inspired by the arts works.
Our hope is that the arts trails will provide easy access to art for all in our local community, providing a means of positive engagement and physical activity for patients, visitors and staff during their time in hospital.
Learn more about the project team and their role in the Arts Trails
Jo McAulay – NUH Active Hospitals Lead
Klaudija Bruzaite - Arts Trails Photographer and Event Assistant
"I am grateful for the opportunity to work on the Arts Trails project as it taught me the value and importance of art, especially in healthcare settings. The positive effects towards wellbeing have been proven but I got to experience this myself as coming across many different colours and shapes within the corridors made me feel more calm and present. Learning about the artists featured across the Arts Trails and the stories behind the creation of their artworks has been one of the most insightful aspects of my role.
This was an incredibly valuable experience for me to have as I was given a chance to be a part of something truly meaningful. I would like to thank Megan Dawes, NUH Arts Coordinator, and Jo McAulay, NUH Active Hospitals lead, for making this possible, and hope to see the arts collection at Nottingham University Hospitals to only keep expanding."
Maureen Mckarkiel – Arts Trails Curator
Megan Dawes – NUH Arts Coordinator
Rosie Carnall – Arts Trails Creative Writer
Rosie Carnall is a writer and creative facilitator, who uses philosophical enquiry methods to engage groups with talking, thinking and writing together. Rosie has an MA in Creative Writing from Sheffield Hallam University. She facilitates the regular Sharing the View: philosophy in the gallery sessions in the Graves Gallery Sheffield and is passionate about using artworks as a way in to creativity and community conversations.
“Working on the NUH Arts Trails Project was a perfect opportunity for me. It combined my interests of engaging people with creativity through looking at art together and for writing community generated stories and poems. It was fascinating to be in the hospitals meeting and talking with lots of different people and then combining contributions into the creative writing for the Arts Trails.”
Sarah Catlow – Dance Choreographer
I'm Sarah, a dance specialist and founder of Sunflower Dance, offering fun and inclusive dance sessions that bring people together and inspire.
As choreographer for the arts trail project, I delivered workshops for hospital staff, combining dance fitness, movement learning and collaborative creativity, resulting in a positive impact on participants' physical and mental well-being.
"Being part of this project was truly gratifying; I relished the opportunity to meet and collaborate with others while witnessing the advantages it brought. It reaffirmed the profound influence of the arts and has ignited my future inspiration."
Simone Carr – Arts Trails Graphic Designer
"Collaborating with NUH on the Arts Trails project has been an absolute honour and delight! Right from my initial conversation with Megan and Jo, I found myself deeply engaged and eager to participate.
Art and creative expressions have the remarkable ability to bring solace and joy to those within the City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre, offering solace amidst the hustle and bustle of life’s challenges.
My experience with this exceptional team in crafting accessible maps, signage, and leaflets, while reintroducing art to the hospital’s walls, has been a personally enriching endeavor. This project holds a meaningful place in my heart, and I will always value the opportunity to contribute to such a worthwhile initiative.”