Jul 16, 2012

A new exhibit at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook encourages patients and their families to explore the topic of healing through artwork produced by visual arts students at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

For immediate release (Corner Brook), July 16, 2012

CORNER BROOK – A new exhibit at Western Memorial Regional Hospital in Corner Brook encourages patients and their families to explore the topic of healing through artwork produced by visual arts students at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

The Healing Artwork Exhibition is an effort of St. John’s native Dianne Noseworthy, an artist in her own right, who seized the opportunity to pursue a project that combined her love of art with her interest in healing.

Ms. Noseworthy made contact with Charlotte Jones, acting director of the Grenfell Campus Art Gallery, who sought participation from third and fourth-year visual arts students.

Pictured: Dianne Noseworthy with one of the art pieces.

“We were delighted that Dianne initiated this wonderful project and that we were able to help,” said Ms. Jones. “Healing Art connects our visual arts students to the broader community in such a positive and thoughtful way. We hope that this may work into more than a one-time endeavor.”

Ms. Noseworthy’s efforts resulted in Healing Artwork Exhibition − a collaboration between Western Health and eight visual arts students. It is a group exhibition containing 12 pieces of artwork created using acrylic, oil, water colour, pencil, ink and mixed media. The pieces are placed strategically throughout the halls of Western Memorial Regional Hospital, and will remain there into the fall.

“This was a great opportunity to showcase the work of students while enhancing the environment at Western Memorial Regional Hospital”, said Cynthia Davis, vice-president of Patient Services with Western Health.  “Western Health has a long history of working with students in clinical placements.  This was a unique opportunity to continue to support students in their learning and display some of their work in the hospital setting for the benefit of our patients and their families.”

Work in this show has been created to portray elements of healing for the viewer; each artist has expressed healing upon the canvas in very unique ways. Some work evokes healing through jovial caricature, some encourages thought from childhood, some pieces help foster abstract thought, and others encourage healing through touch and scent.

“Each artist presents healings in an individual way,” said Ms. Noseworthy. “Healing is different for everyone and all the artists reflected that in their pieces. Our hope is that the Healing Artwork Exhibition forces the viewer to re-direct their thoughts for a moment and focus on the power of healing that lies within.”

Ms. Noseworthy is encouraging people to take a moment to visit each piece and vote for the artwork which best evokes feelings of healing for them at hospitalartwork@gmail.com.

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Media Contact – Western Health:
Heidi Staeben-Simmons
Regional Director of Communications
Western Health
709-637-5252
heidistaebensimmons@westernhealth.nl.ca

Media Contact – Grenfell Campus
Melanie Callahan
Communications Co-ordinator
Grenfell Campus
709-637-6200 ext. 6929
mcallahan@grenfell.mun.ca