Celebrating the return of the Healing Arts Collaborative

Art and health will unite once again on the LMH Health Main and West Campuses with the return of the Healing Arts Collaborative gallery exhibitions in August.   

Black and white art hangs in the lobby of the Main Campus

The Healing Arts program, which is made possible through a collaboration between LMH Health and the Lawrence Arts Center, emphasizes healing, wellness and increased engagement among patients, families, staff and community by placing art throughout LMH Health facilities. The artwork gives patrons the opportunity to imagine, mediate and escape from the reality of being in a hospital. 

The program’s continuation is made possible by a grant to the LMH Health Foundation from the Kansas Creative Arts Commission. The grant allowed organizations to restart the project at no cost to the health system. 

“I am very excited to have art hanging in the hospital again,” said LMH Health community outreach and engagement supervisor Allison Koonce, who wrote the successful grant on behalf of the LMH Health Foundation. “It will brighten many days at LMH Health and be beneficial for just about everyone.” 

The Lawrence Arts Center will select and work with local artists to cultivate artwork for the exhibitions, which will rotate four times each year. The team will display artwork that engages, calms and provides an opportunity to learn or explore. LMH Health will identify and provide spaces most visible to the public to install local artists’ work. 

Many people have been eagerly waiting for its return since the program went on hiatus during the pandemic. Including LMH Health staff and patient encounters, this project will benefit over 308,825 people from these two groups alone. These numbers do not include the family members, visitors and community partners who visit our locations on a daily basis and will have access to our Healing Arts Collaborative.  

Installation of art at the Main Campus

Darren Moore, digital content and brand manager, has been a part of artwork in LMH Health since day one. When the West Campus was built, he worked with the Lawrence Arts Center to cultivate a collection of art for the new building. This partnership began the initiative to create the Healing Arts Collaboration. After the pandemic, Moore worked with the Lawrence Arts Center, Koonce and other executive leaders to help restore the Healing Arts Collaboration. 

"Art can be a great outlook for people suffering from behavior and mental health challenges to express themselves and escape from reality," Moore said. "Since it is such a right-brain activity, it can also help people recover after a stroke by building communication and motor skills." 

The following is the timeline for the Healing Arts Collaborative:

• August 2023: First exhibition installed
• January 2024: Second exhibition installed
• March 2024: Third exhibition installed
• June 2024: Fourth exhibition installed

The final installation will be a juried exhibit for those who have used art in their healing process. Along with their artwork, participants will also share their stories about how they benefited from art throughout their healthcare journey. The exhibit is open to all local artists ages 18 and older.  More information about the final exhibition will be announced in 2024, closer to the time of installation. Additionally, the Foundation will host an artist reception for the juried exhibit to highlight the work and introduce the artists. 

The healing power of art

Hospitals all around the world are integrating art into their hallways because of its healing ability and calming nature. Art can show the beauties of life and open minds to new possibilities by creating hope and optimism. Artwork not only provides a restorative and pleasant environment, but can also play a role in improving medical outcomes and patient satisfaction. 

"Art can help people escape from reality, express themselves and build valuable skills,” Moore said. “In hospitals, art is versatile tool which can help patients heal from anything that may come up during their healthcare journey." 

Here are a few of the many ways art heals:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce need for pain medication
• Improve mood
• Be a positive distraction for patients visitors and staff

The artists selected by the Lawrence Arts Center will work to develop pieces that relax, uplift, inspire and contribute to the healing journey. Including artwork in the hospital provides the opportunity to improve wellbeing and the hospital experience for patients, visitors and staff alike at LMH Health.

Natalie Terranova is a marketing and communications intern at LMH Health.