Members of the art selection committee for the new hospital take a glance at the first piece of artwork purchased for the permanent collection of RMH, entitled "Heart," a watercolor by Shenandoah artist Jane Skafte. Pictured, from left, are Audrey Ziegler, Judith Strickler and Merv Webb, vice president, RMH Foundation. The piece is on display at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community's sixth annual Juried Multimedia Art Exhibition until July 5.

HARRISONBURG –Shenandoah artist Jane Skafte’s work titled “Heart” has become the first piece selected for the permanent artwork collection of the new RMH facility, scheduled to open mid-2010.

The piece is on display as part of the sixth annual Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community Juried Multimedia Art Exhibition being held May 31-July 5. RMH entered a purchase award agreement, which entitles a buyer to purchase a piece of art before the show’s opening, said Merv Webb, vice president, RMH Foundation, and co-chair of the art selection committee for the new hospital.

“The VMRC show represents some of the finest artists in our region,” Webb said. “We felt it was a natural place to begin in making a local purchase of art. In our selection process, we were immediately attracted to the picture ‘Heart.’ The title ‘Heart’ speaks to not only to our mission as a hospital to promote physical healing, but also to the heart we put into caring for our patients.”

Webb said the painting’s contemporary style and bold hues fit well into the innovative design of the new facility.

Skafte, who previously taught design and drawing at JMU, has worked as product development manager for the Monticello catalog and museum shop in Charlottesville since 2005. She earned a dual MA/MFA in fiber arts and textile design from Syracuse University, and completed her bachelor’s in fine arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

“I am delighted that RMH has selected ‘Heart’ for display at its new campus,” she said. “The heart is the highest recognized symbol of love in the human consciousness. The more love we experience, the healthier we get. I hope that the painting will contribute to people's health and well-being, and am delighted that it was selected to hang in the new hospital.”

So far more than 100 local artists have submitted portfolios for consideration for the permanent art collection at the new hospital, Webb said. The Ambiance Group of Nashville, Tenn., is working with RMH and its architect to select artwork, he said. 

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