"Art on the Walls" returns to hospital
Thirteen local artists from Sanders County are now displaying their work at the new “Art on the Walls” exhibit in the halls of Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains.
The opening reception for the gallery display last Friday night was a chance for community members to check out the art as well as ask questions and talk with the artists.
Work in the juried show ranged from photography, watercolor and acrylic paintings, some on feathers and roof shingles. The shows are never a themed event, said Arlene Littlefield, chairman of the “Art on the Walls” committee and local artists.
“I think the shows just need to be made up of what the artists produce naturally and what they feel like making,” said Littlefield.
Dr. Greg Hanson, CEO of the hospital, welcomed the 30 guests and thanked the Arts Council for having another show.
“I hope the art work will keep growing around every hallway corner in the hospital someday,” said Hanson. “When I have other doctors visit, they always tell me how impressed they are to see the halls dressed up with local work.”
“We believe that the art is helpful to our patients’ healing process and that these artists are part of our ‘healing team,’” said Hanson. “It gets people up and moving around and gives them something nice to look at while they walk.”
“I love the active part of painting,” said Karen Thompson, an artist in the show. “It’s not as fun to wait for the layers in acrylic painting, for example, to dry. The amount of work is probably five days total, but it takes weeks for one of my pieces because of the dry time.”
Some of the artists have been in every show and for some this is their first show, said Joy Nelson, also on the Sanders County Arts Council committee.
“We try to get a variety of experience and mediums in the art we display,” said Nelson.
Rachel Gonzalez is one of the artists who have been in every “Art on the Walls” show.
“I have loved to paint ever since I was a child,” said Gonzalez. “I really enjoy painting scenery in oils and watercolors, but watercolors are harder to change after you make a mistake. I usually paint landscapes or animals from a photo or card, but then put my own spin on it.”
The Sanders County Arts Council puts the art show on, but the idea to display art in the hospital began when a former patient was walking the hallways with her IV in tow, wondering why there wasn’t anything on the walls in a well-lit hall. Now, the council puts on four quarterly shows.
The art is available for purchase pieces ranging from $20 to $300, with 30% of the profit going to the Arts Council, 10% to the hospital and gift shop, and 60% to the artist. However, the artists set their own prices and it must be ready to framed and ready to hang on the walls, said Joy Nelson.
The displays run about ever three months, and the next show will start on July 1. The application process is free and open to all artists in Sanders County and will begin in May for the next show.