Unlocking healing through art at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital

Art therapy has been used to treat mental health concerns for some time, and research shows that not only does actively engaging in art therapy help with concerns such as depression but so does the process of looking at art. For example, visual art exposure can activate the reward system in the brain, which helps reduce stress levels. There’s even a field of study called Neuroaesthetics, which explores the neural mechanisms underlying aesthetic experiences, including our perception and appreciation of art and other forms of creative expression.

Recognizing that art can provide emotional support and distract from complex health concerns, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital intentionally integrates beauty and art into the hospital campus. From the colors on the walls to the quiet beauty of the surrounding mountains, the facility is situated in a healing environment designed to provide a sense of comfort and caring.

The hospital has a 1,200-piece permanent collection, including large artworks that can be appreciated from across the lobby and others that beg one to approach and marvel at the small details.

You’re invited to the newest exhibit

Rotating art exhibits supplement the hospital’s permanent collection, carefully assembled and kept fresh in various high-traffic areas where patients and visitors might feel anxious. The Charlottesville Camera Club provides the newest rotating exhibit. It can be viewed in the third-floor hallway to Wendel 3, the second-floor hallways to the outpatient lab, and the Cancer Center building. These buildings are open seven days a week. The exhibit will run through June.

Interested in sharing your art?

The Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Art Committee looks for two-dimensional work (no sculpture) that is bright, engaging and uplifting. Exhibitions rotate every few months and typically include five to 10 works. Art is available for purchase. To find out more about exhibiting your artwork, contact Renee Dinwiddie by email at rmwalker@sentara.com.