Local Artists’ Exhibitions at NSH: The Healing Benefits of Art
By Todd Ford, Public Information Coordinator
North Shore Health (NSH) has a proud legacy of displaying the creative work of local artists in their public spaces. The inaugural exhibition launched on May 17, 2018 during the NSH rededication ceremony, following the completion of the facility expansion project.
NSH purchased and installed a modular Walker hanging system, which accommodates works of varying shapes and sizes, and makes art easy to rearrange. Howard Hedstrom built and donated a beautiful set of custom-built wooden pedestals so NSH can display sculpture and other dimensional work.
The art program was growing nicely when the pandemic arrived and put a damper on everything. NSH’s top priority was to protect their patients, residents, visitors and staff from COVID-19. As a result, the art program was paused for a time.
Then in the spring of 2022, NSH CEO/Administrator Kimber Wraalstad tasked their new Public Information Coordinator, Todd Ford with reinvigorating the art program. That task turned out to be a labor of love. While the mask mandate was still enforced and a screening table remained at the entrance, the pandemic was finally winding down.
At the time, NSH lobby walls displayed an impressive array of art from NSH’s permanent collection, including wonderful work from area artists who are no longer with us. Nonetheless, it was apparent that the exhibit was in need of refreshing.
Fast forward to the present and NSH’s art program is now flourishing. Response from the talented north shore creative community has been outstanding.
NSH distributes a Call For Artists three times a year, and each exhibit lasts approximately four months. Their Presence in the Community committee also serves as the art selection committee. They review art submissions and base acceptance decisions upon the following criteria: the art should celebrate aspects of the cultural, historical, geographical, or community attributes of Cook County and/or the North Shore, and encourages the feeling of peace and nature consistent with an ambience of quiet reflection in a health care delivery environment.
The program has provided an ongoing infusion of wonderful new artwork that rotates on a regular basis. NSH now displays oil, acrylic and watercolor paintings, pastels, prints, pen & ink illustration, photography, fiber, quilt and textile art, woodwork, sculpture, rock and other mixed media.
Participating artists can make their work available for sale (or not). NSH never collects a commission or acts as intermediary; the artists deal directly with prospective buyers. Each artwork is accompanied by a placard that identifies the artist, title, medium, size, cost (if for sale), and contact information.
While the exhibit includes work from established area artists, it also provides an opportunity for artists who have never shown their work in a gallery. “Their work is shared with our patients, their families and visitors who truly appreciate the sense of tranquility and an opportunity to focus their attention on something beautiful and unique during what can be a stressful time,” said CEO Wraalstad. “The artists are part of the healing process.”
Emma Estes, Patient Access Representative at the reception desk frequently witnesses those who view the exhibit and comment. “People love the art. Patients and guests alike comment constantly about our changing installations. It is so nice seeing how excited people get as they walk through our halls looking at the displays.”
As the end of each exhibit nears, NSH hosts a public reception to honor the artists. “We invite the community to come engage with the artists, tour the exhibit and enjoy free snacks and refreshments,” said Ford. “It is particularly rewarding to observe the artists getting to know each other and comparing techniques.”
NSH invites the public to come tour their art exhibit. Spanning over 300 lineal feet of public spaces, the exhibit is truly an impressive and diverse collection.
Local artists who would like to submit work to the Call For Artists for the June–September exhibit, please visit: https://www.northshorehealthgm.org/new-call-for-artists-june-september-art-exhibition. Or contact Todd Ford at 218-387-5308, todd.ford@northshorehealthgm.org.
For more information, visit: https://www.northshorehealthgm.org. Stay tuned for future informative Getting to Know North Shore Health articles published monthly in the Cook County News Herald.