By Mia Stephens 

A picture is worth a thousand words, but the most important ones are the story it tells.  

From July 18 through Sept. 7, the Arts in Healthcare program at VCU Health held its 20th annual National Arts Program Exhibit, where volunteers, employees and their families shared their creative talents. In total, 261 pieces in styles ranging from realism to abstract adorned the halls of VCU Medical Center’s Gateway Building and Main 1 Hospital. 

Amid the worry, pain and stress that often accompany a hospital visit, the exhibit offers patients, families and health team members a chance to pause and admire the beauty and creativity around them. For one mother, her decision to attend even forged a deeper bond with her son’s provider.  

“The day that I attended the exhibition, my son was admitted to the hospital. As I was browsing around, I found a piece of artwork that I liked, but it wasn’t until I looked at the name, I realized, ‘Oh, my goodness – that’s Dr. Megan Lo’s daughter’s piece,” said Treshana Lewis, noting the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU pediatric nephrologist. “I was shocked because I did not know her daughter made stuff like that.” 

The nonprofit NAP empowers organizations to transform workplaces into spaces that highlight creativity of employees and families, which can further forge connections with their larger communities. Two decades into the relationship, VCU Health has become one of the longest-tenured participants in the program. 

Alexis Shockley, manager of Arts in Healthcare at VCU (right), gives Anson Koshy, M.D., MBE, chief of the division of Developmental Pediatrics (left), the 1st place award in the “Professional Artist” category in this year's exhibition. (Contributed photo)

“To have a program like this continue for 20 years and, even more importantly, continue to grow is a testament to the importance of the arts in the health care environment,” said Alexis Shockley, manager of Arts in Healthcare, which was established in 1986. “The National Arts Program is something that our visitors, team members and patients all look forward to every year. When you have something so strong that is so valued, it will continue to be successful through the support that is received.” 

Each year, the exhibit creates bonds – such as employee-artists from present and past coming together on delivery days, and patients and families sharing stories of how the art impacted them. The event included an  awards reception that was held in Main 1 Hospital, where several participants received awards in their respective categories.  

“The joy in the faces of those that received awards, along with participants showing off their pieces to others, really encompassed the mission of this program in real time,” Shockley said. 

In total, 157 artists from many departments at VCU Health participated in this year’s gallery, including employees in pathology, clinical research, finance and spiritual care, among others. 

“Employee programs are so important to make sure that our team members feel valued. This program not only shows our team members this, but it also includes their family members,” Shockley said. “From delivering the artwork to the Arts in Healthcare office, to the reception in the main lobby, our team members and their family members are engaged and invited to showcase what matters to them outside of work.” 

Submissions for the 20th annual National Art Exhibition lined one of the main hallways of VCU Medical Center’s Main 1 Hospital. (Alexis Shockley, Arts in Healthcare)

Nathan Cunningham MPH, associate vice president of patient experience at VCU Health, emphasized how patients and their families often express how impactful the VCU Health exhibit is. 

“I always hear their enthusiasm and see the visible shock as they diligently scour each piece’s label to identify the team member [artist] name and their respective role in the health system,” Cunningham added. “In real time, you can see the connection formed as visitors are reminded that beneath the dedicated professionalism and profound selflessness our teams display, ultimately, we are all human beings with individual talents and passions spanning beyond our profession.” 

Shockley envisions that the annual NAP exhibit will continue to grow – in artwork, participation and support.  

“This year we had a record number of new participants, and it is my hope that the program continues to reach team members and their families that have never participated before and have stumbled across this phenomenal platform to share their talents,” she said. 

For Lewis, the mother whose son is being cared for at VCU Health, she hopes more people will take moments out of their visit to view and connect with the artwork on display at the hospital.  

“There’s always a story behind everything,” she said. “Whether you visit for even five or 10 minutes, it will change your life.” 

Learn how Arts in Healthcare at VCU Health provides supportive care through visual arts, music therapy and cultural programs

Read the latest news