COURTESY
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — In recent years, hospital leaders, physicians and patients have discovered that art and music in the hospital environment can help patients deal with their illnesses more effectively and possibly return to full functioning earlier.
The Great Hall, in celebration of Springfield Hospital’s 105th Anniversary is pleased to present, “Healing: The Transformative Imagery of Art,” a group exhibition of 12 artists. Drawing on personal, in some cases tragic experiences, they have created inspirational art to share with the viewer. The exhibition will open Thursday, Sept. 27 and go through March 30, 2019 with an artists’ reception for the public from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at One Hundred River Street. Wine and light refreshments will be served.
“If art gets a patient out of their room or if a painting takes a person’s mind off their pain and lowers their stress levels, then the art isn’t just decorative, it part of the model of care,” says Larry Kraft, Director of Development, Springfield Hospital & Medical Care Systems.
Research confirms that viewing enjoyable or stirring art creates a surge of the feel-good chemical, dopamine, a chemical related to intense positive sensations. Additional health benefits are increased relaxation, inner calm and reduced stress.
Nina Jamison, Director of Exhibitions at the Great Hall says, “In creating this show, we were seeking art that has a positive impact and helps viewers rise above challenges, offering hope and inspiration. The 12 artists in the exhibition have created inspirational art to help provide a path forward towards healing for others, for the planet and for themselves.”
“We also wanted to showcase various mediums including painting, sculpture, ceramics, stained glass, blown glass and fiber. The healing power of art is important now more than ever in the midst of worldwide turbulence, extremism and negativity,” adds Jamison
The exhibition features renowned New England artists including: Painters: Robert O’Brien, Springfield, VT; Cai Xi Silver, Brattleboro, VT; Robert Carsten, Springfield, VT; Sculpture: Pat Musick, Manchester, VT; Carolyn Enz Hack, E. Thetford, VT; Mary Admasian, Montpelier, VT, Margaret Jacobs-Enfield, NH; Tiles, Ceramic Wall Art: Natalie Blake, Brattleboro, VT; Stained Glass, Karen Deets, Fair Haven, VT; Blown Glass: Robert DuGrenier, Townshend, VT; Fiber, Priscilla Petraska, Chester, VT; Neomi Lauritsen, Springfield, VT.
With a soaring 25-foot ceiling and clerestory windows, the 150-foot-long by 45-foot-wide world-class public art space is unique in the region and accommodates and compliments very large artwork and sculpture. The Great Hall, located in the Springfield Medical Center can be entered from either River Street, across a pedestrian bridge, or from the Pearl Street entrance. There is plenty of parking at both entrances.
The Springfield Medical Center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. when the Great Hall can be viewed. There are docents on Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. who can explain the history of the building (a history display of the former Fellows Gear Shaper Factory is in The Great Hall).
The Great Hall will be open on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. as participants inVermont’s Statewide Open Studio weekend.
The exhibit is sponsored by Springfield Hospital and Springfield Regional Development Corporation. For more information, go to Facebook.com/GreatHallSpringfield (802) 885-3061.
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