April & May 2002 NEWS

CONTENTS:
Art Lights the Way to Healing
Art Enhances Healing at the Doernbacher Children's Hospital
Featured Book: Kaleidoscope: Artist Techniques for the Creative Soul by Elizabeth Keely Wilson

Art Lights the Way to Healing 

"We are told that in times of crisis, we need to rely on faith. Art can be faith, too, from which some of us draw the deepest solace...[The Arts] can sustain and inspire us, but they can also lead us -- directly or, more likely, indirectly -- from darkness to light." 

So writes John Rockwell in the NY Times about the role of the arts in the face of tragedies such as those of September 11. A potent example of how the arts "lead us...from darkness to light" was the successful installation of the Towers of Light on March 11, 2002.  These powerful beams of light were created by the strategic positioning of 88 high-powered searchlights and filled the site of the tragedy on the evening of March 11, commemorating the six month anniversary of 9/11. For more information about the project's innovators and inception, please click here. 

Art Enhances Healing at the Doernbacher Children's Hospital

View of the vestibule sculpture and main lobby entrance

In 1995, a generous contribution was made by an anonymous family to fund art installations throughout the Doernbacher Children's Hospital in Portland, Oregon. They believe "art has the power to heal and give meaning to life and death." This led to their desire to make "the new children's hospital a lively, joyful and welcoming place through art."  One aspect of the Hospital's art program was to bring in professional artists Frank Boyden and Brad Rude who collaborated for three years to create a unique environment that welcomes, soothes, and inspires everyone who enters the hospital from patients to staff.  Playful bronze animals form a welcoming committee at the front door. The vestibule establishes the hospital as a safe haven with a circular granite sculpture, ringed by the words "Young friend, be home here, be healed, be well with us all, young friend." (see sculpture in forground in photo to the left).  The lobby is a celebration of flora and fauna (see image above), gracefully embedded in the windows and walls while colorful birds are suspended from the ceiling.

These and many other elements combine to create a healing environment for the ill children treated here. For more information and photographs, visit the Hospital's web site at www.ohsu.edu/som-childpsychiatry/dch3.htm

FEATURED BOOK

Kaleidoscope: Artist Techniques for the Creative Soul by Elizabeth Keely Wilson

As the author writes, "Seen as a metaphor for life, a kaleidoscope illustrates the truth of beauty emerging out of the midst of chaos. From the outside, the bits of colored glass and beads of a kaleidoscope seem to tumble together somewhat meaninglessly... One must look through the lens -- from a different perspective -- to see the beautiful patterns emerge. On the surface, our life experiences might be likened to that jumble of colored chips....However, if we can pause for just a moment and step back, thereby gaining a new perspective, we are presented with a colorful mandala pattern, a clear reflection of the wisdom and beauty of the creative life force." This book offers tools for unlocking the creative force that resides in each and every one of us -- a force that can enrich our lives. Beautiful color reproductions accompany inspirational quotes and practical exercises for reflection and creativity.  It includes an appendix of materials and techniques. This softcover book costs $18.95, has 144 pages, and comes in a special case. To order click here. 

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