Calling All Artists: UMMC Seeks Art for New, State-of-the-Art Hospital in Jackson

Video courtesy of State of the Arts
By Talbert Toole
Lifestyles Editor
talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) is conducting a statewide search for artwork by regional artists for its new state-of-the-art pediatric tower adjacent to Batson Children’s Hospital in Jackson.
The hospital broke ground in December 2017, and construction is slated to be complete in August 2020, according to UMMC.
The tower will add 88 private neonatal intensive care rooms, 10 operating suites, an imaging center specifically for children and an outpatient specialty clinic. In addition to these rooms, the tower will also house the Children’s Heart Center, UMMC’s pediatric cardiology program.

Leading the statewide search for art is Franklin, Tennessee resident Lin Swensson of Lin Swensson and Associates (LSA).
Swensson has more than 10 years of experience in art consulting in the healthcare field through her firm.
She said bringing art to the healthcare industry, such as the new children’s tower, is important because it brings a positive distraction to the environment.
Studies have shown that paintings and other works of art have brought a variety of emotional responses in humans, especially patients, according to Swensson.
Health Environments Research and Design Journal (HEARD) published a study where an image and its overall content of the image influenced a pivotal role in the emotional response of humans.
“For the moment you are looking at the artwork, it can give you some mental relief and take you somewhere else,” Swensson said.
Swensson said, while confined to a hospital, patients can observe paintings of sunsets or even abstract art which can be positive for the patients’ senses.
The Healing Arts Program at UMMC aims to provide an environment within the hospital that comforts patients, visitors and staff through the use of visual arts.
Swensson said the hospital committee, which includes herself, is looking for artistry that not only executes the program’s mission but encompasses every aspect of Mississippi.
The committee is looking for regional artists from the state, or those who have a connection to the state, according to Swensson.
“We’re looking for anyone that has a tie to Mississippi,” she said. “Whether they were born here, have family here, or just have a love for Mississippi.”
The committee is looking for art that captures the state’s culture.
“Mississippi is so varied,” Swensson said. “Northern Mississippi has a different voice than what is going on down on the coast.”
The search committee has extended the deadline for applicants from July 30 to Sept. 15. Submissions will be selected based on the content, aesthetic quality, cost and size.
Artists interested in submitting their pieces can submit three digital images with the title, size, medium and price of each piece. The committee asks that each artist submit contact information, resume and an artist statement.
Submissions can be sent electronically to info@swensson-art.com for consideration.
For questions and more information, contact Lin Swensson (615)-945-2895 or lin@swensson-art.com.

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