McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation Brightens New Hospital with Works from Michigan Artists
Author: McLaren Foundation
“Art enhances and humanizes an environment. It minimizes environmental stresses and helps makes people comfortable again. And that it is extremely important.”
The healing role that art plays is not a modern concept. As early as 1859, Florence Nightingale wrote, “The effect in sickness of beautiful objects, of variety of objects, and especially of brilliancy of colour is hardly at all appreciated.”
“Art inspires people and when people are seeking medical treatment. Not only do they need the area’s most trusted providers, but they also need inspiration,” said Lynn Griffor, vice president of the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation and Chief Experience Officer. “This is a perfect opportunity for two local organizations that have two different missions to work together to lift people up.”
The foundation partnered with the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center to select three distinct pieces from Michigan artists for the new health care campus.
“Most definitely, there is a connection between the arts, humanities, and overall health,” said Barbara Whitney, executive director of the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center. “Art enhances and humanizes an environment. It minimizes environmental stresses and helps makes people comfortable again. And that it is extremely important.”
Over the last year, the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center assisted the foundation with curating and installing art for the new hospital, which includes:
- “Flyers,” a ceramic sculpture installed in the hospital courtyard. The piece was created by Williamston resident Mark Chatterley, a member of the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center.
- “Peace,” a powder-coated steel and glass sculpture installed in the lobby under the main staircase. The piece was created by Brighton resident Kelly O’Neill, a member of the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center.
- “Sunset Over the Big Lake,” an acrylic on canvas installed in the cafeteria. The piece was created by Empire resident Mark Mehaffey, a member of the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center.
“In most cases, visiting a hospital isn’t a joyful experience. It means you or a loved one needs care and that can be quite stressful,” said Kirk Ray, President and CEO of McLaren Greater Lansing. “Art can be an important part of the healing process and when considering art in our new hospital we wanted to provide a sense of calm to promote healing for both patients and their family. I am so thankful to all of the local artists we partnered with and am excited for patients, visitors and employees to see the art featured throughout the hospital, outpatient care center and Karmanos Cancer Institute.”
In addition to art pieces curated by the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center, the foundation independently selected and installed eight additional pieces of art.
“We want art to be integrated into the fabric of our new facilities in a way that reinforces the healing environment that we are creating,” added Griffor.
Specifically, the ceilings above the linear accelerators (LINAC) feature “Midsummer,” “Fairyland” and “Beautiful”; all are photography and print creations by James Lenon of Holt. The photos selected were voted on by employees and patients.
“I lost my grandfather to pancreatic cancer when I was a teenager in high school. I was old enough to understand the years of battle he put in with the disease and the countless hours of treatment he underwent. I was honored to create something that someone going through times of trial might find hope and joy within. My grandfather was a WWII veteran, worked for the East Lansing Police Department and eventual sergeant at arms for the Michigan Senate. He was a hero, and my motivation was to find beautiful scenes that I wished I could sit and discuss life with him and share the positive legacy he left behind. It is my hope that those that can view these images during their treatments can also find hope, dream of their future and find a strength to continue their personal fight,” said Jim Lenon.
The foundation also installed:
- Two pieces by Jason Keusch of DeWitt: “The Mouse Gets the Cheese,” located in the Hourani Family Lobby, and “This Way to the Elevator,” located in the main elevator lobby. Both pieces were created from acrylic, epoxy and plaster.
- Two acrylic pieces by Pam Harden of East Lansing: “Serenity” and “Where the Land Meets the Sea,” both located in the Outpatient Care Center.
- Glazed ceramic tile installations by Megan Odell, which can be seen in the elevator lobbies of floors four through nine.
To learn more about the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation or support the foundation’s acquisition of future pieces, visit mglcampaignforcare.com.
To learn more about McLaren’s Greater Lansing’s new health care campus visit mclaren.org/lansing.