Page 10 - LRCC May 2022 Focus

MEMBER NEWS FOCUS MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

McLaren Greater Lansing

Foundation Brings Healing
Power of Art to Patients,

Caregivers

FOUNDATION PARTNERS WITH

LANSING ART GALLERY AND
EDUCATION CENTER TO BRIGHTEN
NEW HOSPITAL WITH WORKS FROM
MICHIGAN ARTISTS

he McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation is
partnering with the Lansing Art Gallery &
TEducation Center to create a hospital environment
that plays an active role in the patient’s healing process
by installing art pieces from Michigan artists in McLaren Courtesy McLaren Foundation
Greater Lansing’s new health care campus, which opened
March 6.

Over the last few decades, a growing body of studies Artist Mark Chatterley with his sculpture, "Flyers."
and anecdotal evidence suggesting the capabilities of
art as a tool in assisting the healing path has driven the • “Flyers,” a ceramic sculpture installed in the hospital
incorporation of artwork into medical settings. However, courtyard. The piece was created by Mark Chatterley,
the healing role of art is not a modern concept. As early Williamston resident and Lansing Art Gallery &
as 1859, Florence Nightingale wrote, “The effect in the Education Center member.
sickness of beautiful objects, variety of objects, and
especially brilliancy of color is hardly appreciated.” • “Peace,” a powder-coated steel and glass sculpture
installed in the lobby under the main staircase. The
“Art inspires people and piece was created by Kelly O’Neill, Brighton resident
when people are seeking “Art inspires and Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center member.
medical treatment. Not
only do they need the people and • “Sunset Over the Big Lake,” an acrylic on canvas
area’s most trusted when people are installed in the cafeteria. The piece was created by
providers, but they also seeking medical Empire resident Mark Mehaffey, a member of the
need inspiration,” said Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center.
Lynn Griffor, vice president, treatment. Not
McLaren Greater Lansing only do they need In addition to art pieces curated by the Lansing
Foundation. “This is a Art Gallery & Education Center, the foundation
perfect opportunity for the area’s most independently selected and installed eight additional
two local organizations trusted providers, art pieces.
that have two different but they also need
missions to work together In most cases, visiting a hospital isn’t a joyful experience.
to uplift people.” inspiration.” It means you or a loved one needs care, which can
be quite stressful. Art can be an important part of the
For the new health care healing process. When considering art in our new
campus, the foundation collaborated with the Lansing hospital, we wanted to provide a sense of calm to
Art Gallery & Education Center to choose three separate promote healing for both patients and their family,” said
pieces by Michigan artists. Kirk Ray, president and CEO, McLaren Greater Lansing. “I
am so thankful to all of the local artists we partnered with
Over the last year, the Lansing Art Gallery & Education and am excited for patients, visitors and employees to see
Center assisted the foundation with curating and the art featured throughout the hospital, outpatient care
installing art for the new hospital, which includes: center and Karmanos Cancer Institute.” l

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