Photographic Art in Hospitals Aids The Healing Process

Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing who lived in the 19th century, proclaimed: “Variety of form and brilliancy of color in the object presented to patients are an actual means of recovery.” Today, many experts agree that patients who have art in their environment heal faster. And,  scientific evidence shows certain types of art, such as nature images, can actually reduce pain, anxiety, and stress.

For these reasons permanent public art displays are becoming very prevalent in health care facilities. In fact, Leslie Faerstein, Executive Director of the Arts & Health Alliance, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C., anticipates that the organization’s 2015 study will find a significant increase in the number of health care facilities with art programs. (According to an article on the NBC News website.)

Elaine Poggi, a photographer from Florence, Italy, is one of our favorite world changers. She is well aware of the healing power of art. When her mother was hospitalized at Barnes-Jewish with non-Hodgkins lymphoma she made her hospital room more cheerful by bringing in her own photographs.

Then, in 2002, when she lost her mother to cancer, in her mother’s memory Poggi turned her bereavement into a humanistic worldwide campaign. She launched The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, a non-profit, publicly-supported organization dedicated to placing colorful, soothing photographs of nature in hospitals. The Foundation’s message is “Humanizing Hospitals Through Healing Photo Art.”

The unique mission of the Foundation is “to place large, framed photographs of nature and beautiful places from around the world in hospitals to give comfort and hope to patients and their families, visitors, and caregivers. Studies show that nature art has a beneficial effect on relieving a patient’s stress and anxiety. The photographs are intended to provide color and an atmosphere of compassion where healing is encouraged.”

Since its inception several thousand nature photos have been placed in hundreds of healthcare facilities on seven continents to create healing environments. Her story has been translated into 28 languages thus far. Subjects range from tropical beaches to Japanese cherry blossoms to the Tuscan hills.

She emphasizes, “White, cold, sterile walls exemplify the traditional hospital setting, where stress, pain, fear and loneliness abound. Staring at these walls is boring and depressing. Studies show that nature art has a beneficial effect on relieving a patient’s stress and anxiety. The mood changes when our beautiful nature photos are placed on the walls, providing color, comfort, and hope to patients, caregivers, and loved ones.”

In addition to providing a positive environment for patients, visitors and employees, Poggi gives many artists the opportunity to share their talent in a meaningful way. She welcomes other nature photographers from around the world to participate in the Foundation’s Contributing Photographers Program.

In addition to being a very talented photographer and compassionate individual, Elaine Poggi serves as a shining example of how to turn loss into purpose. She explains, “I have met so many people and created amazing friendships through the years with patients, their families, volunteers, doctors, nurses, hospital auxiliary members, and hospital administrators. It was been very rewarding for me to see how my photos and the photos of our Contributing Photographers have made a difference in the lives of these people. I can’t think of anything that I would rather be doing!”

The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals accepts tax-deductible donations. Photographers who want to learn how to contribute their art to the Foundation will find details on the website.

Visit the website www.HealingPhotoArt.org.