HARRISONBURG –Art Collection Will Help Create Healing Environment

More than 100 area artists have submitted work for display consideration at the new RMH hospital, set to open mid-2010, but the art committee for the new hospital wants to add to that number.

“We continue to seek the talent of the community to fill the new RMH hospital and health campus with artwork that conveys the history and beauty of the Shenandoah Valley,” said Merv Webb, vice president, RMH Foundation, and co-chair of the art selection committee for the new hospital.

The goal of the committee is to have 100 percent of new hospital art be from local artists or artists whose work is influenced by the Valley, Webb said. Of particular interest, Webb noted, is 3-dimensional artwork, including sculpture, mosaic, mobiles, ceramics and textiles as well as contemporary and abstract 2-dimensional work.

RMH is working with The Ambiance Group of Nashville, Tenn. to select artwork. The Ambiance Group is an art services company specializing in art for healthcare, senior living and corporate environments. The company provides art consulting, framing and installation and has helped furnish artwork for hundreds of health care facilities across the United States.

The Ambiance Group will help RMH to assemble a permanent art collection for its new facility, Webb said. All artists are asked to contact the Ambiance Group to submit work for consideration. Artwork purchase is set to begin in fall 2009, according to Ginny Parker of the Ambiance Group.

Those who wish to make a monetary donation to add art to the permanent art collection of RMH may receive more information by contacting the RMH Foundation at (540) 564-5959.