Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A splash of culture has been added to Lennox and Addington County General Hospital’s community corridor courtesy the Greater Napanee and Area Arts Association.
Artwork from 16 local artists has been hung in the corridor, which links the hospital’s main entrance to the Emergency Room waiting area. This marks the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that art has been added to the corridor.
“To get the first show underway, rather than having to beat the bushes for individual artists or groups of two or three, we decided to contact the GNAAA and it was instantaneous in terms of the interest,” said Tim Nimigan, community rep for LACGH’s Art Décor Committee. “It’s a good variety of work.”
Prior to the pandemic, the hallway was a popular spot for staff, patients and guests of the hospital to visit, with new artwork added on a regular basis to keep it fresh and to highlight a wide variety of local artists. When the pandemic struck the program was halted, as visitors to the hospital were extremely limited. With restrictions now lifted, members of the community are free to make a specific trip just to check out the artwork. It also adds provides a lift for staff or patients staying at the hospital.
“I often see patients or someone who is waiting for someone in a clinic (make a trip to see the artwork). It’s a well travelled hall,” said Nimigan, who was at the hospital on April 17 to install the latest display. “We were just finishing setting up the show and Martin Barstow and I were just sitting there chatting and this gal started walking down the hall and she went ‘oh’, an audible sound and then she turned and looked toward the wall and saw the artwork so she went right back to the beginning and worked her way back. I’ve had all sorts of comments from the volunteers at the front door to the receptionists. They’ve all missed it so they’re glad to see it back there.”
GNAAA member Lisa Ray Koenig of Groovy Cats Art has been looking forward to this art show returning.
“As a member of the GNAAA I am thrilled to be a part of this important art show, it brings about a sense of community,” said Ray Koenig. “For those who are utilizing the services that the hospital provide I hope that the artwork brings about a sense of joy.”
Several artists are participating including Koenig, Jeanne Hudson, Joanne Kells, Terri Austin, Ryan Carde, Cathy Fallis, Diane Hieat, Carol Jackson, Amelia Lemire, Linda McLaughlin, Marion Morgan, Lynda Murtha, Michael Normile, Diane Phaneuf, Karen Rochon and Angela Smith-Pollard.
All told there are 32 pieces of artwork now on display.
The group of artists features a mix of veterans as well as those who recently discovered the hobby during the lockdown.
Artists interesting in having their artwork showcased in a future exhibit can contact Sarah Fiddler at Sarah.Fiddler@LACGH.Napanee.On.Ca. From there they will be asked to submit photos of their work to be reviewed by the hospital’s Art Décor Committee.