2008 The Bloom experience, ELIA, Brussels.

ELIA is a globally connected European network that provides a dynamic platform for professional exchange and development in higher arts education. With over 250 members in 47 countries, it represents some 300.000 students in all arts disciplines. The principal mission of ELIA is to represent Higher Arts Education and to be an influential voice and advocate in promoting the interests of its members. In placing emphasis on the value of arts education and artistic research

In 2008 ELIA and Hotel Bloom! in Brussels had an international open call for students, graduates and postgraduates from the ELIA member institutions to be selected for a project at the Blooms Hotel in Brussels. ELIA was responsible for the artistic and creative input of this project. The theme of the project is 'Bloom'. Students who have been selected had to create a mural painting according to this theme.

Bloom! Hotel www.hotelbloom.com as a result now has over 4.100 square meters of wall within the hotel rooms, decorated with mural paintings.

287 rooms have been designed and painted by 287 students from 22 different European countries. 44 Nationalities are represented.

I entered, while in my third year at NCAD as a mature student, doing fine Art painting Hons level, I was selected with two of my peers Myra and Blath. The theme they chose from my entry was based on an original oil painting of mine. I had a week to transfer this image to two walls in room 612. It was a very exciting time and there were a group of international artists working alongside us in their various appointed rooms.

We went on a walkabout through Brussels one afternoon and I visited a flea market. The monochrome photos taken on this excursion have influenced much of my work in later years. I was fascinated by the collections of articles in the stalls and how they were laid out on the cobblestone streets. The atmosphere was engaging and surreal. This was a very special experience for me.