As part of Recovery Haven Kerry’s 10th anniversary plans in 2020, the cancer support charity has announced details of its inaugural ‘Haven’ Art and Photography competition.

The service, which closed its doors to the public two weeks ago, cancelling all drop-in services, group sessions and one-to-one therapies, is still operating. However, manager Siobhan MacSweeney has moved to assure clients and the general public that support is still available via email and phone, while counselling sessions can still be arranged.

Adults and children alike are being asked to capture creative images or draw or paint a picture that highlights their haven or place of solace – that place where they find hope on their journey. This can be their home, friends, family or their favourite go-to place, activities or interactions – but the charity is stressing how vital it is that this done in line with new, strict COVID-19 guidelines.

The competition is an acknowledgement of the 10 years of support Recovery Haven Kerry has provided to cancer patients and their families since its foundation in 2010 - now with locations in Killarney, Killorglin and Tralee.

The competition, which is aimed at amateur artists and photographers only, will run from now until the end of July 2020. Prizes will be awarded in three age groups: primary school children, secondary school children and adults, in both art and photography categories – with awards for first, second and third place.

Coming on board to judge the completion are award-winning photographers Valerie O’Sullivan from Killarney and Domnick Walsh from Tralee in the photography category, along with renowned artists Pauline Bewick and daughter Poppy Melia, who will choose the winning art work.

The winners and second and third placed entries in all categories will be acknowledged at a prize-giving ceremony in August and their photos and prints will be used for promotional purposes by Recovery Haven Kerry, including their 2020 Christmas cards. They will also feature in a number of public displays across Kerry’s library network in September.

All entries - photographs and drawings – must be initially submitted via email along with the relevant entry form to: marisa@recoveryhavenkerry.com. The entry form, as well as full competition details and T&Cs can be found at www.recoveryhavenkerry.com from this Friday.

The deadline for entries is Friday, July 31 after which the chosen winners and runners up will be asked to provide hard copies of their entries for the exhibition.