[Forum] Exhibition at North Adams Regional Hospital

[Debi Pendell]

Hello everyone.



During the last couple of Forum meetings there has been discussion about how the arts community can interact with all and various other members of our wider community. Here is one possibility for visual artists - a way in which we can do what we are here to do, create art, and, through that, contribute effectively.



I have recently accepted the position of Art Curator for the Community Art Work Project at North Adams Regional Hospital (NARH), a program that began in the summer of 1999 and has been a consistent success every year since that time, and I am writing to invite you to participate in the upcoming exhibition.



This project brings works of art into the publicly accessible corridors and waiting areas of the hospital in order to bring warmth to the environment for patients and their families and friends, as well as for the staff of the hospital. It is the hospital's desire to complement the healing process with art work. Art can be as healing for the viewer as it is for the artist who creates it.



NARH has just completed extensive renovations, and there are many beautiful spaces for exhibiting art. My aim is to hang a representative number of works for each artist all in one area - like a mini-exhibit within the larger exhibit - with a brief bio and artist statement accompanying the works. This will serve the viewer as an aid to understanding, and will serve the artist as an introduction to a new and wider audience than those who already frequent open studios, galleries and museums.  



Many people have no idea who or where the artists are or where to see the work they create. Included in the posted write-ups will be such information as studio locations, North Adams Open Studios participation, and gallery affiliations. In addition to enhancing the hospital environment, this program can bring various members of the community into contact with community artists  - outside the hospital as well as inside it.



I invite you to participate in the exhibition that will open on July 1, 2007. You can submit as few as 3 pieces, if they are particularly large, or as many as 10, if they are smaller in size. The number of pieces will be negotiated individually with each artist. All works will be for sale, unless otherwise marked as NFS. Both sale and not-for-sale works are welcome. Sale inquiries will be directed to the artist. The hospital carries insurance for the exhibited art works.



The plan is for two exhibits to be held each year; each exhibit to be 6 months in duration. This time length minimizes the disruption to the hospital due to the hustle bustle of receiving and hanging artwork. NARH is excited to get works on the walls as soon as possible (the building does look quite bare) and is requesting the July 1 opening date. Since 6 months from July 1 is January 1, and the Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holidays are not a good time to be arranging and opening an exhibit, this show, and only this show, will remain up for 7 months, with the next show opening on February 1, 2008.



I realize that 7 months is a long time to tie up your art work. Please consider exhibiting older works that you still love, but that you are not putting in any of your current shows in other venues. This is a great way to get these works seen, rather than have them collecting dust in the corner of your studio. Or, perhaps you prefer to hang more recently created pieces and the 7 month time frame may not be a problem for you at all.



Please contact me via email: debipendell at msn.com<about:blank> or phone: 413-664-2787, and we can arrange a studio visit.



I look forward to hearing from you,

Debi Pendell
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