Student art brightens hospital in winter show

PLAINS – The stark white hospital hallways were covered in cheerful illustrations of snowmen, plants, animals and self-portraits in rainbow hues. Hospital patients, staff and visitors lined up, eager to view the art. The smiles on the caricatures reflected the smiles of viewers young and old, healthy and not.

The annual Art on the Walls Student Show exhibition opened Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. Musical entertainment was provided by piano students of Trout Creek. The uplifting art was generously supplied by the students of Sanders County from first grade through high school.

The student show is a favorite among many in the community, including President and CEO of CFVH Greg Hanson M.D.

“The winter season always displays the artwork of the students around the county and it is always some of our favorites because it is the greatest variety of art,” Hanson said. “We are excited about this every year.”

The Art on the Walls show dates back to October of 2007. The founder Gayle Keeney was struck with inspiration when she was a patient. She wandered the hospital and noted the bare walls with idle track lighting.

Not long afterwards she and the Sanders County Art Council pitched the idea of an art show and the rest is history.

Empty and monotone walls are now scarce thanks to the great number of submissions. The central hallways of the hospital were fully graced with imaginative and vibrant pieces.

“We keep finding new artists all the time,” Sanders County Art Council member Joy Nelson said. “When we started this people said we would not find enough art in Sanders County to do this show. Gayle said that is okay we will go to the surrounding counties if necessary, but we have not had to do that.”

Nelson was pleased with the turnout of this year’s show as well as the quality. She was especially charmed by the first and second grade self-portraits.

“We are really delighted with the art we have. It seems to get better every year,” she said. “The hospital folk and townspeople really love the self-portraits because in a small town people know these kids.”

Parents and children alike walked through the art show smiling as they pointed out the familiar faces of little Jonny Felix or Gracie Bauer. The artists were proud to claim their work as it was praised.

“It is encouraging for the artists. There are not many places for local artists to showcase their work. So it is good for them to see others coming and enjoying their artwork,” Nelson said.

Receiving admiration for one’s work is appreciated by any artist, but for children it has the potential to ignite a passion for creation. According to Dr. Hanson, they have had student participants that continued on to art school.

The Art on the Walls show is not only pleasant for the artists, it is rewarding for the patients in the hospital and nursing home. The change of scenery provides them with uplifting images of a world seen through children’s eyes. Nelson believes this is really therapeutic for the patients.

The hospital staff also gets to enjoy the pictures on a regular basis.

“I think it is also good for the people who work here,” Nelson said. “It is stressful work so it gives them the change to stop and go someplace else for a minute.”

Nelson is grateful to the hospital staff for being so cooperative with the Art on the Walls show. They allow the Sanders County Art Council to pound holes in the walls four times a year—but all for a good cause.

The student art will be up until March 24 and then it will be time for the next adult show. Art submission applications will be available soon.