The team at St. Joseph Hospital passionately believes that art helps heal. Its effort to build art and artistic experiences into its culture dovetails beautifully with the hospital’s mission to “provide healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.”
One especially inspiring approach the hospital has taken to heal is revitalizing its Arts in the Atrium program, which was popular prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned recently to focus on:
- Enhancing the hospital’s environment by displaying local artists’ work
- Hosting musicians from different genres to entertain for special events
- Partnering with community artists to offer unique classes and opportunities to be creative
Past events include:
- A quarterly artwork installation facilitated by the Nashua Area Artists’ Association
- The sale of art, from which the hospital receives 15% of the purchase price
- A lunchtime performance by Symphony NH, composed of many Nashua musicians
- A patriotic choral performance by World Academy students to acknowledge Veterans Day and honor local veterans
“Displaying art, hosting musicians and partnering with local artisans is a powerful way for us to bring the community together,” shares Michele Canto, Director of Community Ministries, who oversees the program. “Our efforts are genuinely appreciated by patients, family members, visitors and staff. We look forward to hosting several events and improving attendance throughout 2023 and 2024.”
She adds, “Our entire team knows that providing care for people isn’t always clinical. Arts in the Atrium events provide opportunities to bring our hospital community, as well as the Greater Nashua community, together. There is great value in bringing people into the hospital to reintroduce them to all the different types of care we provide.”