Memorial Medical Center CEO Roshanda Thomas is opening up its doors — and wall space — in a new partnership with local artists in the Calhoun County area.
In a meeting on Nov. 9, Thomas showed artists around the hospital, identifying areas where their art can be placed.
Created in part by local artist Kathy Warren, the goal of the program is to help improve the look and feel of the hospital by introducing art, while also giving artists a chance to display their work for free in a public space as the hospital rotates artists throughout the upcoming year.
“It is my pleasure to see so many artists come to our facility,” Thomas said. “I am amazed at the beautiful talent that’s going to be displayed throughout our facility, and I am very passionate about connecting with our community and engaging with them. There are so many parts of the healing process and I do believe art is part of that process.”
During the program, which is set to kick off in the first quarter of next year, invited artists will have their work placed throughout Memorial Medical Center for both display and sale. Artists who do choose to sell their work will not be charged any additional fees, nor any commissions, however Thomas does ask that sold pieces are not removed until the next rotation of artists.
“I came up with the idea while I was sitting on the couch, ignoring the TV. I told my husband ‘I think I’m going to get in touch with the hospital tomorrow and see if they would be interested in doing an artist of the month.’ I was thinking small,” Warren said. “When my husband saw Roshanda at the Rotary Club, he mentioned it to her, and it just grew from there. Within three or four days, I had to stop because there were so many responses.”
The artists invited cover a variety of techniques and materials, ranging from mosaics, driftwood carvings, oil paints, photography and more. Many of the pieces are also inspired from scenes and areas found within Calhoun County and the surrounding coastal areas, or from galleries and businesses in the area, such as Rivers Edge Taxidermy, Xandra Ann Art, Studio 14 POC and the Crossroads Art House.
“I want to thank the organizers for the opportunity that this will give us,” Artist Annick Michot said. “This is very rare, and I hope we have lots of success.”
While the next four rotations of artists are already full, those interested are advised to contact the hospital. Thomas also encouraged people to visit when the art is fully displayed alongside new renovations to the hospital in the upcoming year.
