“Art opens the closets, airs out the cellars and attics.
It brings healing”
Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
Greetings,
Mary Washington Hospice is the first hospice program in our area to bring Complementary Therapy services to our patients with life limiting illnesses and to their families. Our Complementary therapies add an extra dimension of care to Mary Washington Hospice’s commitment to nurturing the mind, body and spirit. We are currently offering art, music and massage therapy. These non-invasive, holistic approaches are intended to “complement” the medical, social and spiritual care already provided to our hospice patients. Complementary therapies are intended to further enhance quality of life and to provide comfort and wholeness to our patients and their loved ones.
To further promote the benefits of using the arts in healthcare, Mary Washington Hospice feels it is essential to partner with our community to take the healing effects of art into healthcare settings where we care for the dying. This will not only impact our patients, but also their families and staff.
Mary Washington Hospice plans to corroborate with local artists to establish a traveling art exhibit entitled, “Arts Healing Journey”. Research has proven that positive, visual stimulation makes a difference in the healing process.
We would like to start with an initial exhibit that will begin January 8, 2010 and go through March 31, 2010. The art will travel to three locations and stay for one month. We are still in the process of finalizing locations. They will be local and will be local Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes, MW Hospital may also be an option for one of the locations.
The artwork will be on loan to us, unless you would like to donate the piece for a future auction to support the Complementary Therapies Program. There will also be an option to sell your artwork with a small commission going to the Complementary Therapy Program.
The initial exhibit will include 25 paintings and/ or photographs that will be professionally displayed. We will also have special openings at each location with appropriate live music and other pleasantries. We also plan to utilize local press to share and inform the community of these exhibits and partnership with area artists.
Submission of artwork via a digital image is to be emailed to brenda.lynne@medicorp.org no later than December 15, 2009 by 5pm. A panel consisting of local artists, hospice staff, and volunteers and a representative from a nursing home will select the artwork to be used for the exhibit by December 18, 2009 and you will be notified as to whether your work has been selected. We would also like the artist to include a narrative as to how their piece of works promotes healing, and what that means to them.
Remember, healing for our patients and families does not imply cure. For hospice patients the works should reflect art that dignifies life and promotes inner-peace. Also, for nursing home residents, many with dementia, meaningful art often relates to their most precious memories.
If you have any additional questions, or would like to talk further about the project, please feel free to contact me by phone or email.
I am looking forward to this exciting project and to be able to bring peace and healing to our patients, families and staff through your work.
Brenda Lynne, MSW
Mary Washington Hospice
Social Worker
(540)741-3580 office
(540)287-8613 work cell
brenda.lynnne@medicorp.org
