Unprecedented Journey: Intersection Where Arts and Health Meet

From the earliest known forms of human creativity and expression, such as paintings on cave walls, tribal dance and aboriginal music played around the fire, to expansive museums in large cities, modern dance and sold out stadium concerts, one constant has always remained true. Human beings have always found creativity and expression to be central to our very existence. Only later, as agriculture took hold and great civilizations formed, did humanity develop a name for what is often the produce of such creativity and expression. We call it “art.”

Today, many choose the path of the professional artist. They express themselves through their chosen medium. They may create a painting, choreograph a performance or write a song with an eye towards producing something beautiful, moving and timeless. Others may draw, write poetry or play the guitar as a pastime or hobby. Biologists, physicists and city planners may draw on their own creative minds in order to find solutions to problems. Their solutions will be an expression of their creativity, regardless of their occupation or what they produce.

From this point of view, it becomes apparent that creativity and expression are absolutely essential to our existence as human beings. By extension, one might even suggest that creativity, expression and the arts are essential to human health and wellness. Growing research into the health and wellness benefits of the arts, creativity and expression continues to put the weight of scientific study behind such assertions. 

It is from this point of reference that we invite you to take this “Unprecedented Journey” with us. The art you will experience is to be found at the intersection of where arts and health meet. One point of intersection takes physicians white coats, actual objects from the healthcare field, and sees them transformed into works of art. Another point of intersection features a large number of artworks created by individuals who work in the healthcare field. In this way, we are not only exploring clear and present ways in which creativity, expression and the arts intersect, but we are also exploring an essential human intersection. It is the point where the individual meets the human need to create and to ultimately express themselves by sharing the produce of that creativity with their fellow human beings.

This exhibition is put on in partnership with UK Arts in Healthcare, CREATE, and the Lexington Art League.