September, 2004

ART Gallery - The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre will soon see the expansion of its art gallery, which was opened almost a year ago by the foundation and auxiliary. Shown here with one of Darlene Strong's Colour Me Free pieces is auxiliary volunteer Joann Sigut.

Art gallery brightens up walls at Cumberland regional hospital
by Andrew Wagstaff, The Amherst Daily News

UPPER NAPPAN - In existence for less than a year, the art gallery at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre is already preparing for an expansion.

Now brightening up the main hallway in the new hospital, the gallery will soon stretch around the corner and double its size, showing between the medical unit and the healing garden.

"When completed, it will hold up to 20 pictures," said Jodi Swan, managing director of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation, which operates the gallery in conjunction with the hospital auxiliary. "It's nice to finally add some colour to the lobby."

Borrowing the idea from the Colchester Regional Hospital in Truro, the foundation first set up the art gallery almost a year ago, just before Christmas of 2003. Since then it has received a popular response, and created a multi-win situation for all, according to Swan.

"A portion of the proceeds goes to the foundation and the auxiliary, and will be used for equipment purchases," she explained. "It gives us a chance to work with the auxiliary, which is wonderful, and it gives local artists a chance to show their work. It's also nice for the patients to come and look at the pieces."

Between six and a dozen pieces of art have been sold since the gallery was opened, raising about $200, according to Swan. While start-up costs absorbed most of these funds, she estimated that within a year or two enough money would be raised to purchase a piece of medical equipment for the facility.

Now on display is the Colour Me Free exhibit by Darlene Strong, which is expected to come down within days. Next up will be a mix of paintings from edna Weatherbee and artists from a local Alpha group. Various artists have had their work displayed in the gallery according to Swan, including Arlene Collins, Dawn Russell and Jackie LeBlanc.

Some of the artists are professionals while others have picked it up as a hobby, according to Swan, who said the pieces are rotated every two months to keep the look fresh.

"A lot of these artist have supported us in the past through our auction," she said. "They're a great support to the foundation. They realize we're a regional hospital, and doing things for the whole county, not just Amherst."

The purpose of the gallery is to enhance the surroundings of the building, to give the artisans an opportunity to showcase their work, and to raise much-needed funds for the foundation and the auxiliary.

Those buying the art have been patients, visitors and even staff, according to Swan.

All types of paintings are shown in the gallery, whole Swan said other types of art are accepted as well, such as photography and needlepoint. Those interested in shoeing their work can contact the foundation office at 667-3361.

The art gallery is one of several programs ongoing at the foundation. Also in the works is the bursary program now being offered in conjunction with the Cumberland District Health Authority and other foundation across the county, and the seventh annual Light the Way Campaign.