Online Edition Monday, August 16, 2004
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Alive with artStudents work brightens hospitalBy Diane Nolan Correspond If these halls could talk What: ARTS ALIVE! exhibit Where: Lobby of Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital, 1 Dove Ave., Salem When: Through August; daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. How: Open to the public; admission is free. SALEM - From volunteering to exhibiting, this group of Salem High School students has their own way of saying "get well soon." Last spring, a group of 19 Salem High School students began a program at Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem volunteering with patients who were going through rehabilitation. Students spent time with patients making crafts and doing paintings with them for two hours every other week. "It's such a great socialization, these kids are marvelous," said Shaughnessy-Kaplan Activities Coordinator Karen Gibbons, who added that patients were able to take away a physical object from these visits. Now, the Salem students who donated their time are donating their artwork for the hospital's lobby. The "ARTS ALIVE!" exhibit by the Salem High students will run through August and will feature many different media, including oil paintings, pastels and photographs. There are 12 of the student-volunteers involved with the August exhibit. All of them are National Art Honor Society students. The society was founded in 1978 by the National Art Education Association and was brought to Salem High School in 2001 by art instructor Karen Lehman. Students involved in this group must be nominated for membership by an art instructor. After their nomination, each student must write a letter to Lehman about why they are qualified to be part of the group. In addition to GPA requirements, students must provide a letter of recommendation from an instructor outside of the arts discussing the student's character. Lehman said that the purpose of this group is to inspire and recognize those students who have shown outstanding ability in the visual arts and who are also good peer advocates. There is no theme for the students' exhibit. Lehman said landscapes and portraits among the various forms of artwork are included. "We chose what seemed like the strongest work," said Lehman, who added that it was challenging getting artwork together during the summer months when most students are away. Members of the Shaughnessy-Kaplan team wanted to start a program to bring art to patients and improve their emotional well-being, according to Gibbons. They believe that this is just as important to their physical needs when beginning the healing process. "It's extremely therapeutic for patients and people visiting," Lehman said. "The audience in the hospital lobby cuts through every community." Gibbons worked to bring artwork to the second floor hallway between Salem and Shaughnessy-Kaplan from students all over the North Shore with Anne Brown, who was a member of the former Essex Camera Gallery. "It has been so nicely received by everybody," said Gibbons, who added that some people who are being taken through the hallway on stretchers will ask to stop so they can take a look around. "You can see people brighten up a little bit when they look around." Gibbons also said that three pieces of the students artwork have been sold while on display at the hospital. The exhibits are changed each month. St. John's Prep in Danvers is scheduled to exhibit on the second floor during the month of August. nt
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