OCALA, FL (352today.com) – HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital announced their sponsorship of a new cultural exhibit that highlights the connection between health and art.

The hospitals are supporting the “Arts & Health Exhibition: The Healing Power of Creativity,” a month-long collaborative effort of the Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) and Arts in Health Ocala Metro (AIHOM). The project explores the role of creativity in fostering physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

“Through our own programs at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital, we understand how vital art can be to facilitate healing, physical and mental well-being, and peace of mind,” said Alan Keesee, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. “The ‘Arts & Health Exhibit’ adds a cultural component that uses the talents of a variety of homegrown artists to illustrate our perpetual mission to care for and improve human life, above everything else that we do.”

HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and HCA Florida West Marion Hospital incorporate music, art, and pet therapy into their care programs with the help of volunteers. These volunteers play a significant role in enhancing the patient experience, providing comfort to visitors, and supporting hospital colleagues.

The exhibit features 40 MCA member artists whose works reflect themes of health or are the results of an arts-and-health initiative. Each piece is accompanied by a personal statement from the artist, offering insight into the inspiration and emotional depth behind their work.

“This exhibit explores the profound connection between art and healing, showcasing diverse creative interpretations of how art can uplift, inspire, and restore well-being,” said MCA Executive Director Jaye Baillie. “Through painting, sculpture, mixed media, and other forms of artistic expression, the exhibit invites viewers to reflect on the powerful role of creativity in fostering mental, emotional, and physical well-being.”

Baillie also highlighted the hospitals’ commitment to holistic healthcare.

“HCA Florida Healthcare’s sponsorship of this exhibit underscores their dedication to our community’s health and well-being,” she said. “Their support highlights the growing recognition of the arts as an essential component of holistic healthcare, reinforcing the idea that creativity can be a catalyst for healing and resilience. This exhibition not only celebrates artistic expression but also serves as a reminder that art has the power to heal individuals and strengthen communities.”

Jessica McCune, board chairwoman of AIHOM, emphasized the role of local artists in promoting wellness.

“This exhibit allows our community of artists to express how art impacts their wellness and pursuit of peace and health. And of course, their work affects our community,” McCune said. “I often say, art makes a difference in everyday life and art carves out the soul of a community. Thus, HCA Florida Healthcare sponsoring this exhibit supports the mission of two organizations: MCA, with a 20-plus year history of convening, celebrating, and championing art and Arts and Health Ocala Metro’s four-year mission to prove and augment the impact of art on our physical and mental wellness!”

The Arts & Health Exhibition will be displayed until to Feb. 28, 2025, at the Brick City Center for the Arts, 23 SW Broadway St., Ocala.

Additional programming includes:

  • Intro to African Dance with Denaya Wilkerson – Saturday, Feb. 8, at 12 p.m.
  • Poetry/Spoken Word Workshop with Natasha Jean-Pierre & Jessica McCune – Thursday, Feb. 20, at 5:30 p.m.
  • “Loving Art” Concert with Becky Baby and David Reinwald – Friday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Lunch and Learn with Kendra Brazzel: Searching for Serenity & Connecting through Art – Thursday, Feb. 27, at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, visit mcaocala.org or contact the Brick City Center for the Arts.