Novant Health’s new initiative integrates art and healing, showcasing local artists’ works to create a calming hospital environment.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new Novant Health initiative is bringing the arts into health care spaces, and shining a light on how creativity can be a part of healing.
In the cafeteria at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, 28 pieces of art line the walls — oil paintings, photography, watercolor works, and mixed media from creators ranging from professional artists to schoolchildren.
‘A Slice of Life’
The “A Slice of Life: The Art of Everyday” exhibit is aimed at bringing a sense of peace and creativity to a place where many people may be looking for some hope. Kristen Howard, vice president of corporate affairs for Novant Health, said the artwork can help people take a moment and reflect.
“One of the artists shared that he was so excited to see his picture up because his mother had had a stroke and had been treated at Presbyterian Medical Center, and so now to see this piece in a place where he had sat kind of quietly and and contemplatively to now see the brightness and the color in that same space was really inspiring to him,” Howard said.
When Novant first started bringing the exhibit to life, they worked with the nonprofit Charlotte is Creative to put out the call. In a matter of just a couple weeks, Howard said they got over 300 submissions.
All the work is for sale, and the proceeds go directly to the artists. On the first day of the exhibit on May 30, Howard said over 20% of the collection sold. The artwork will be up on display and available for purchase through November.
It’s all a part of a new initiative Novant Health launched earlier this year: The Art of Remarkable Care. As part of the initiative and through an initial $500,000 investment, Novant is working with local artists and art organizations to implement visual and performance art, art therapy, and events to engage with the community.
‘Beauty inspires healing’
Howard said this initiative has already led to more conversations about how people embrace healing, and it’s just getting started.
“I think sometimes people don’t expect art to be a part of healing, but evidence shows us that beauty inspires healing,” Howard said. “It can bring calm, that working on art projects and being involved in the artistic and creative process works well with our neural pathways and can create a sense of peace, reduce anxiety — that being in community of art reduces loneliness and depression. So we think of art as a healing tool.”
Novant has used art within integrative medicine clinics, Howard said, so the health system already knew art played a role in the healing process.
“It’s sometimes scary to come into a hospital,” Howard said. “You think treatment might be white blinding lights and plain hallways, and really we want them to know that our environments are actually made to be inviting, to be welcoming, and to be healing, and that we do that not just by ourselves but through our community, that everyone is represented and a part of our health care process and art is a way that we can express that, that passion and that commitment.”
Novant has been working with Charlotte is Creative and Novant hospital presidents across much of the Charlotte area to spotlight local creatives and health facilities. The plan is to bring the visual and performing arts into facilities, and bring the community along for the ride.
“We want to make health accessible and easy and get people excited about accessing care,” Howard said.
‘Not just a number on a chart’
The next event with the initiative is next Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m. The Charlotte Symphony will perform with over 30 live musicians at the Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic on Statesville Road. The performance is free to attend and open to the public, and a Novant mobile health unit will be set up at the event to allow people the chance to get health screenings.
Howard said while Novant Health is focused on bringing healthy experiences to the community, “only a small percentage of your health is driven by what happens when you walk into our doors.” With this in mind, Novant hopes to use the initiative to support artists and connect people with the healing power of creativity.
“We want to think about the whole person and to demonstrate our commitment to being an economic driver in our communities as well as interested in more than just needles and stitches,” Howard said. “We have a broad way of approaching your healing and approaching your care and seeing you as a whole person, not just a number on a chart, but as an important piece of our community.”
Contact Emma Korynta at ekorynta@wcnc.com and follow her on Instagram and X .
