The connection between a person’s health and a pleasant environment was recognized by Florence Nightingale in “Notes on Nursing,” published in 1860.
“This state of nerves is most frequently to be relieved by care in affording them a pleasant view, a judicious variety as to flowers and pretty things,” Nightingale wrote.
So the hospital, with the help of Homer Council on the Arts, is taking steps to bring art to some empty space.
“We’ve been thinking for quite some time that we really needed to do something with these ugly, bare walls,” Franz said. “(Hospital staff) talked about trying to work out some kind of art loan program and I have had different artists come to me from time to time wanting to display art, but haven’t been able to put the program together.”
When Sara Karnos, Franz’s administrative assistant, contacted Janet Bowen, HCOA director, the “Healing Arts Lending Program” began taking shape, starting with HCOA’s visual arts committee touring the hospital to see the space needing a touch of local artists’ creativity.
“It’s walls, so we’re looking for two-dimensional art,” Bowen said of the pieces that will rotate through the hospital on a six-month basis. “Artists can drop it off at HCOA from 9 to 11 a.m. May 2, and a committee with a representative from the hospital will look at it and piece together a show.”
Franz’s preference is for art that is “pretty” and “tasteful.”
“But they won’t let me vote on (the pieces),” he said, laughing.
There is no size limit on the art and artists of all ages are encouraged to submit their work, remembering that the subject matter must be appropriate for all ages. Areas in which the art will be displayed are the conference room and hallways, which, according to Franz, “are very bare and need some brightening up.” The works can be for sale; any resulting sales will be handled through a referral process developed by the council.
“South Peninsula Hospital is responsible for hanging (the artwork) and will develop a locking system to keep it safe,” Bowen said.
Patients at SPH aren’t the only ones to benefit from the revolving exhibit. The conference room is used by numerous public groups, according to Franz. In addition, there are the families and friends of patients visiting the hospital that will enjoy the pieces. And there’s the hospital staff.
“You can’t be mopey and feeling bad as a staff member and taking care of patients. Anything we can do to brighten up the environment for staff is good for the patients,” Franz said. “We’re very excited about this and thankful that artists are willing to help us.”
The selected artwork can be viewed by the public at a reception celebrating the hospital’s 50th anniversary and the beginning of National Hospital and Nursing Home Week, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 8. Guests can enjoy a hot dog or hamburger, meet the artists, tour the hospital, say hello to staff and past and present SPH board members.
For more information on Healing Arts Lending Program, call HCOA at 235-4288.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
“We know that having pretty things around makes you feel better. It’s just kind of Basic Human Behavior 101,” Franz said. “When you look out the window and see the bay and mountains, that’s nice, but sometimes you don’t want to look out the window or you want to close the blinds. Having something pretty on the walls helps everybody feel better — patients, staff and visitors.”
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