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MARCH 2015 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \
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WORDS:
Deanne Gertner,
NINE dot ARTS
F
or centuries, art has functioned as both an educational and inspira-
tional tool in religion. As a faith-based organization in the Catholic
tradition, Saint JosephHospital recognizes the inherent power of art to
helpheal and inspire the spirits of its patients, visitors, employees and com-
munity. Many viewhospitals as sterile and cold, focusedmore on a patient’s
illness; however, an increasing number of hospitals, including Saint Joseph
Hospital, use art to humanize their facilities with original art fromthe local
community, inspire healing and reflection for diverse patients, and create
internal connections with an employee art program. Working with our
firm, Saint JosephHospital developed an art programgoal for its new facil-
ity to promote a healing and spiritually nourishing experience that reflects
the hospital’s safe and caring environment for the communities it serves.
Located in Denver’s urban corridor since 1873, Saint Joseph Hospital used
its art program to visually express its community-oriented mission. As a
testament to that belief, the hospital opened the art program’s call for en-
try to the community at large – anyone, anywhere could enter, but Colora-
do-based artists were given priority. Additionally, Bain Farris, the hospital’s
president and CEO, and Sister Melissa Camardo, vice president of mission
and sponsorship, both served as community liaisons personally answering
questions at community meetings and forums. The community respond-
ed overwhelmingly with approximately 7,000 interior and exterior entry
images for the 17-person art committee to cull through. The committee
members included not only executive leadership and the design team,
but also nurses, project managers and spiritual care managers. Fort Collins
sculptor Tim Upham won the exterior art slot with his historical steel and
glass sculpture whose four pillars represent the four Sisters of Charity, who
founded the hospital at a 14th and Arapahoe cottage in 1873.
Saint Joseph Hospital made a commitment to invest in original artwork
for the new facility and creatively addressed the goals in light of the budget.
For example, the hospital engaged its associates in a photography-based
art program to feature 250 pieces of employee artwork, all identified with
an artist label, throughout the public spaces. This unique aspect of the col-
lection speaks not only to the hospital’s creativity, but also to its passion
to support the members of the hospital staff and encourage connections
between them and the broader community. The photography program is
a source of loyalty and pride and engages all involved in creating a healing
environment beyond clinical expertise. In 2015, Saint Joseph Hospital will
re-open the employee art program to expand the collection.
Saint JosephHospital’s art collectionhasmade a huge impact on the local
arts community. The program’s inventory includes over 80 artists and gal-
leries, only one of which is not Colorado based. Taken as a whole, this col-
lection speaks to Colorado’s and the hospital’s adventurous, hopeful spirit.
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Original Work by Local Artists Shines at Saint Joseph Hospital\ The New Saint Joseph Hospital \
Photos by Paul Brokering
TOP:
“Progression of the Seasons,” hanging silk leaf mobile by Jan
Carson, first floor (outpatient entrance)
MIDDLE:
“Playing at the Pool Study 1,” oil on canvas by Raj Chaudhu-
ri, fourth floor (Mom and Baby)
BOTTOM:
“Four Sisters,” glass and steel sculpture by Tim Upham,
main entrance to hospital