If you happen to wander into The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University before May 22, you're in for a visual treat. The hospital's first-floor art gallery is currently showcasing "Medicine and the Arts," an exhibit that displays the creative talents of the university’s health sciences community. This special display, as reported by Ohio State News, includes artwork from students, faculty, residents, and staff at the seven health sciences colleges and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Originally, the diverse collection kicked off in Hamilton Hall, where anyone from the mentioned groups could submit their work. Still, these works endure scrutiny by the James Art Program Strategic Steering Committee, which aims to curate uplifting pieces for the display, although selecting which works make it to the walls involves not just a nod to skill but also a particular leaning toward the inspirational. Because let's face it, hospitals aren't exactly a day at the beach, "We want people to come and have a little respite in the gallery," the program's manager Peggy Kohler said, emphasizing the importance of finding a sanctuary of sorts among the artworks, "We want them to have something interesting to look at, something that will take them somewhere else or buoy their spirits or just give them a break."
One of the featured artists, Jessica Wojtasek, a senior user experience designer for the hospital, is showcasing five pieces that intimately capture slices of Columbus life, including a painting of the known Tee Jay's Country Place sign. Speaking about her intent with the pieces, Wojtasek told Ohio State News, "I want people to feel an attachment to the city we’re in," expressing her desire to immerse onlookers in the locale they experience daily, in rain or shine.
Then there's third-year medical student Natalie Brillhart, who's also throwing her creative hat into the ring for a second time, showing that balancing an intense medical curriculum while maintaining a passion for the arts is not just possible, it can be a vital part of the educational journey and she’s advocating for more programs like this based on her positive experience, "I told them about this show," she recounted to Ohio State News, referring to Belmont University—her undergraduate alma mater and now home to a fresh medical grad program—about the uplifting impact such an exhibition can have, "It’s been one of my favorite experiences throughout medical school."
