Center Stage Arts in Health made its entrée to Holy Spirit Medical Center with a culturally vibrant exhibition recently installed in the hallway leading to the cafeteria. The “Redefining Black Art” display is a result of a partnership with the Nyeusi Gallery, in Harrisburg, and will be on loan to the medical center for one year.
Director of Center Stage Arts in Health for the entire Penn State Health system Claire de Boer says this project is a brilliant example of an exhibit that calms, welcomes, and inspires our healthcare community. “The arts serve to uplift our patients and families, to build community among our healthcare providers and to nourish the well-being of all across our health system,” she says.
“Art reaches the mind and the soul in an intangible way. Viewers of this display can take time for self-reflection and appreciation of creativity,” says Dale Dangleben, MD, Trauma Medical Director at Holy Spirit. Part owner of the Nyeusi Gallery, he was pleased to help to curate this art as a form of highlighting diversity and offering art for mental rejuvenation. Nyeusi features art from Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, thus the African Diaspora circle. The gallery collection consists of paintings, masks, statues and jewelry.
Don McKenna, former president of the West Shore hospitals – Hampden and Holy Spirit – and interim president of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, said partnering with local galleries to host exhibits keeps the atmosphere in our medical centers fresh. “Locally curated displays help us reflect the rich, diverse culture of our patient and employee population in a powerful way.” The Susquehanna Art Museum hosts a satellite art exhibit at the Hampden Medical Center.
A tag at the Holy Spirit display reads, “A place of art should inspire, uplift, and empower and that’s what Nyeusi is all about. The collaboration between PSH and Nyeusi Gallery is an effort focused on healing through art. We hope that this circle of art allows the viewer to focus on their mental and spiritual restorative energy as they heal.” A QR code on the tag invites viewers to respond to the display and note which piece of art is most impactful to them.
You can inspire future creative programs at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine by making a gift to support Center Stage.
Visit engage.pennstatehealth.org and click ‘GIVE TODAY’ to make a secure contribution online, or email giving@pennstatehealth.psu.edu to have a member of our Development staff contact you.