Artists lift spirits at Exeter hospital

Local artists have again been brightening up the corridors of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital with their annual Friends and Family art exhibition.

Now in its 16th year, the exhibition has been organised by Exeter HealthCare Arts to showcase the work of the local arts community who have a connection to the hospital. The exhibitors include talented RD&E staff, outpatients and former patients, who have all loaned their work to help brighten up the hospital environment.

Exeter HealthCare Arts (EHCA) is the ‘arts for health’ project for the RD&E. It delivers a range of activities to improve hospital life, for patients, their loved ones and visitors and for staff. Art exhibitions in the corridors can help add interest for hospital users and have direct healthcare benefits too.  Patients preparing or recovering from treatments and procedures are often encouraged to tour the corridors to reduce stress before and to regain mobility as they recover.

The wonderfully varied collection of artworks, ranging from Devon landscapes and seascapes to pictures of artists pets, can be seen along the second floor of the main hospital corridor. Many of the works are for sale with the artists donating a percentage of their sales to Exeter HealthCare Arts. Proceeds will help with further ECHA exhibition work at the RD&E throughout the year.

Stephen Pettet-Smith, Head of Exeter HealthCare Arts, said: “This is a wonderful exhibition and really shows how the local arts community support the hospital. It makes a difference to hospital patients and visitors by giving a positive distraction and something for people to talk about. I would encourage everyone to take a look next time they are at the RD&E.”

The Friends and Family exhibition finishes at the end of the month.