alone charity punch needle event with joanne mooney

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Joanne Mooney hosts her first ever solo exhibition, in aid of charity ALONE

Leading Irish creator and Influencer, Joanne Mooney, recently hosted Ireland’s first Punch Needle Extravaganza in Hen’s Teeth Gallery with a series of events in aid of charity ALONE - and DFS was proud and honoured to support such a great cause. The weekend was a huge success, with family, friends and fellow influencers turning out in force to support Joanne on her opening night of a really creative exhibition.

About Joanne Mooney

Ireland’s queen of punch needling, Joanne Mooney, hails from Swords, where she lives with her husband, two daughters and Shih tzu Rocky. As a child, she grew up in a home full of creativity and wonder - she wore handmade dresses and knitted socks. Her creativity followed her into adulthood, and 17 years ago she set up her own website, selling personalised handmade artwork for children, your home & special occasions.

Passionate about creativity, interiors & style, Joanne feels very lucky to earn a living from her art and creativity.

“I believe anyone can be creative. It is necessary for our wellbeing and takes our minds off the fast pace of life we are living. Also, for our children creativity is a way to work through emotions, make decisions and express ideas.” - Joanne Mooney

Combining support for an emerging artist, workshops for people to try out a creative pursuit, and fundraising for Irish charity ALONE - the Punch Needle Extravaganza was an inspired idea that brought together the community, and raised awareness and funds for a key local issue. But how did Joanne come up with the idea?

“Last year I was lucky enough to design a room set at the Ideal Home Show, for DFS. As part of my room design, I wanted to hang colourful art - so I decided to make my own punch needle art. I hadn’t made any big pictures before, mainly just small wall hangings. I made two large pieces; one was a portrait of Frida Kahlo (who I love) and the other was a lady called Cherry Sue - a picture of a girl blowing a bubble gum, built with cherries made from pompoms, on a yellow background. Both pictures were very colourful, which was how I wanted my room to be.

Anyway, on the first day I sold both pictures. The Interior Designer Susan McGowan, from Ashen & Cloud said to me, ‘You should do an exhibition of your work.’ And the seed was planted.” - Joanne Mooney

So, Joanne teamed up with DFS and Hen’s Teeth Gallery to host Ireland’s first Punch Needle Extravaganza - her very first solo exhibition, weekend of punch needle workshops, and a charity raffle. Together, we re-created Joanne’s beautiful living room, with the bright yellow Joules Windsor sofa and colourful accessories - which provided the perfect space to showcase Joanne’s beautiful textile works. Best of all, 10% of all proceeds from the exhibition were donated to ALONE and their work supporting older people.

The weekend was a fantastic success, with Joanne’s friends, family, and fellow influencers turning out to show their support on the exhibition’s opening night. The punch needle workshops planned for the weekend also completely sold out, and in total, €500 was raised to support ALONE’s important work, plus the sofa used in the exhibition was also donated to the charity.

Joanne herself was thrilled with the results from her first solo exhibition, and her sold out workshops where people wanted to find out more about this unique craft.

“My first solo exhibition was very colourful portraits and quirky wall hangings. It’s a nod to colour. I made art that I would buy myself, and hang in my home to feed my eyes and imagination. I am really grateful to DFS for the sponsorship and also delighted to work with ALONE.” - Joanne Mooney

Find out more about ALONE

Irish charity ALONE was founded by Dublin fireman Willie Bermingham in 1977. During the cold winter of 1976, Willie and his colleagues found the bodies of a number of older people in tenements throughout the city. They had died in appalling conditions. Willie was so shocked by this that he, and a small group of friends and colleagues began distributing food, fuel and blankets to those older people who were most in need.

They also started a campaign to raise awareness of these ‘forgotten old’ in the media and to the government. Today ALONE continues its work providing direct services to thousands of older people as well as campaigning for the rights of older people in our society.

ALONE works with all older people, including those who are lonely, isolated, frail or ill, homeless, living in poverty, or are facing other difficulties. They provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Support & Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support, and assistive technology.

They use support plans, provide a point of contact for access to health, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and other services and activities to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. With nearly 5,000 volunteers throughout the Country, they conduct and provide practical support to older people, visits and phone calls, linking older people into social activity and being a companion. For more information or to pledge your support, visit https://alone.ie/