Art and Healing

Over time, art has been recognized not just as a decorative tool but as a critical component of a healing environment. Research increasingly shows that patients who are exposed to art that is calming, positive, and affirming have lower rates of pain, shorter hospital stays, and generally experience better clinical outcomes.

Center for the Arts, St. John's Hospital Foundation and St. John’s Medical Center has a continued partnership focused upon Art and Healing. The hallways at St. John's Medical Center's Professional office building exhibits local artist’s work through this initiative. Work is selected through The Center's Call to Artists each October and is chosen based on the Art and Healing criteria established by The St. John’s Hospital Art Committee. In 2016, Alissa Davies’ show, Mother-Moment-Memory, was exhibited as part of this partnership. The 2017 featured artist was Tamara Ashburn King. In 2019, Center for the Arts and St. John’s Medical Center continued their Art and Healing community collaboration with a new exhibition featuring multi-disciplinary artist, Isabel Rucker.