I recently spent some time at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.  It was one of the first hospitals in the country to have an artist-in-residence program; bringing art to the bedside of patients.  The program started in the bone marrow transplant ward and over the years has expanded to include everything from concerts in the lobby, to playback theater in the patient's room.

The artist aren't trained in psychology, they aren't therapists, they are artists.  All of the artists are well aware that the only persona they wear in the hospital is that of artist.  What a refreshing way to walk through life being acknowledged for your art and artistic ability.  The artists go to the patients to provide diversion from pain, treatment, etc or simply to begin working with the patient on becoming fully authentic in their lives by speaking their personal truth through art.

The artists help unleash the creative potential within the patient and the reward is amazing for the patient, the family and the artist.  Art is a great connector.  When we create with others there is an electricity in the air and that aids healing.  When families create together they create an artistic legacy that everyone in the family gets to share. 

The amazing thing is that all the artist has to do is be an artist.  So if you're considering volunteering in the community, providing art in the medical community is a great adventure.

Amazed at the power of art...
Greg

coaching artists to success