Healing Arts
By Shelley Ottenbacher
The Janet and Jim Riehl North Tower at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Clinton Township officially opened in the spring with the promise to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare in Macomb County and beyond. The new tower is also giving a boost to local artists.
Working with the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens, the hospital’s Healing Arts program issued an open Call for Art in February 2023. More than 270 Michigan-based artists, most from Macomb County, submitted more than 1,300 works of art. More than 200 pieces were purchased and are now displayed throughout the facility.
Through the open call, Henry Ford Health was able to offer an opportunity to interested artists on a much broader scale. “Our focus for this project was the Macomb County area we serve and artwork that reflects the community where many of our patients live as well as where they are being cared for,” said Megan Winkel, Manager, Healing Arts Program and Lindsay Anderson Curator of Art, Henry Ford Health.
Henry Ford’s strong commitment to the connection of healing and art is evident with original artwork featured in spaces and locations across the health system. Henry Ford Macomb also proudly participated in the Detroit Institute of Art’s Inside Out program, hosting seven outdoor art installations on the campus from spring through fall 2023. “As an anchor in the community, our organization is focused on meaningful opportunities for local artists to engage with community members within and outside of our walls,” Winkel said. “Art is also part of our holistic approach to care, offering support to people in their social and emotional well being.”
Local artist, Sarah Kasper of Romeo was delighted to have one of her paintings, Firmly Rooted, selected. Displayed on a patient fl oor in the new tower, the work employs a technique where Sarah captures the paint run off and uses the recycled paint water in the work. The result in this painting is a subtle, soft background sky contrasted with more prominent, stronger trees in the foreground.
“Trees are a symbol for family and history. This is my fi rst painting on display in a permanent collection,” said Kasper, who also has a sculpture featured in downtown Romeo. “It is so meaningful that it is in a hospital. With illness in my family, I grew up in hospitals and to have my work in a place of healing feels good. It’s nice to know that my work might help families do some internal healing.”
“Original artwork can bring about all sorts of emotions. It can distract from the negative, allow people to lose themselves in a moment and promote relaxation,” said Winkel. “It also creates a warmth and acceptance in our spaces that helps people feel seen and welcomed.”
She attributes the success of the Janet and Jim Riehl North Tower art project largely to the partnership with Anton Art Center. A nonprofi t arts and culture organization, Anton aims to build an open community around creative expression by presenting a wide array of programming to appeal to diverse audiences and providing support for the arts to enrich and inspire people of all ages.
Winkel encourages businesses to make a connection with an art organization such as Anton. “Macomb County is so fortunate to have this thriving arts and culture organization,” said Winkel. “Their partnership helped us to engage and showcase the work of so many amazing local artists and help expose even more of our residents to the vibrant arts community in Macomb County and Michigan.”
To learn more about the Janet and Jim Riehl North Tower, visit henryford.com.
To learn more about Anton Art Center visit theartcenter.org
