Art with a Heart in Healthcare

It’s a matter

of the heart

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Illness does not just inflict a person’s body. Left alone, it can affect their mind, will, and emotions, or in other words, their heart. Medicine can heal the body, but medicine alone cannot make a person whole. That is where Art with a Heart in Healthcare makes a difference.  We are an organization focused on enhancing the lives of patients and their families through a fine art experience.

A majority of the people we serve have their first art experience with us. We use a variety of mediums, including painting, drawing, music, storytelling, and photography, allowing participants the opportunity to discover their own artistic talents and learn about the arts.

“Savannah’s time in the art rooms has become the most positive experience and exactly what she needed most.  Art with a Heart has allowed our daughter to get her mind off her illness and feeling bad and create something she is proud of.  She has so much fun while working with the artists and other children."

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Sarah Lahtinen, mother of Savannah, age 7

Laughter, smiles, and joy are not what you would expect in the hospital, but we experience it every day!  And that is why we are convinced that when it comes to matters of the heart, creativity heals.

Patient Benefits

• Creates an opportunity for participants to share who they are as a whole person rather than one who is defined by diagnosis, age, or disability.

• Provides a means of interaction and enjoyment, a sense of meaningful connection with others.

• An innovative way to respond to the stress associated with hospitalization.

• Establishes an environment that recognizes the value of creativity and aesthetic experience for patients, families, healthcare providers, and visitors.

Resource: UF Center for Arts in Medicine. Talking About Arts in Health

This year's annual patient exhibition — "Animal- Gamation" — is now on display at MOCA. " It marks our ninth year of partnership with MOCA.

The exhibition is creatively entitled “Animal-Gamation” — since the AWAHIH artists partnered with patients to create unique Animal-Gamation of different animals! Patients explored their own stories and identities in animal form by creating collages on canvas using paint, sand, feathers, pipe cleaners, gems, and much more.

This thoughtful show encouraged introspection, inviting the patients to show some of their personality traits and characteristics by creating their own mythical creatures. Sixteen pieces in this exhibition highlight the amazing qualities of these remarkable patients.

Our annual patient art exhibition is on display at MOCA!