Heart Institute art project turns ceiling into healing

September 17, 2019

When Stephanie Colpitts’ mother-in-law became ill and had to be admitted to hospital, her family took great care in selecting and decorating her room with artwork from home to make her feel more comfortable. Despite their best efforts, her mother-in-law spent a great deal of time looking up at a plain white ceiling tile.

Stephanie Colpitts started the Healing HeART Ceiling Tile project at the Heart Institute.

Colpitts, who works as a quality improvement coordinator at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, understands there is a link between the healing properties of art and improved patient outcomes. At the Heart Institute, she dedicates each day to developing patient-centered quality improvement projects designed to enhance the experience of patients and their families staying at the hospital.

With her mother-in-law in mind, and with the help of her colleagues at the Heart Institute and its Patient Alumni Association, Colpitts successfully launched the Healing HeARTs ceiling tile project. The initiative called for local artists to paint ceiling tiles above the hospital beds in the Day Unit and Regional Referral Centre with calm, open, nature-based scenes.

The goal was to provide patients with calming and peaceful imagery to help promote healing and provide comfort.

- Stephanie Colpitts, Quality Improvement Coordinator, UOHI

“The goal was to provide patients with calming and peaceful imagery to help promote healing and provide comfort,” explained Colpitts. Along with her colleague Karen Charron, a clinical manager of the Day Unit and Regional Referral Centre, Colpitts made a pitch to local artists on an episode of CBC Radio’s All in a Day with Alan Neal. Colpitts said interest in the project, and submissions from hopeful artists who wanted to participate, took off from there.

“We didn’t know if we would receive five submissions or 50,” laughed Colpitts. “It was thrilling. It was so exciting to see the community’s support for the project. I was overjoyed to see there were so many people willing to donate their time and talents to support the Heart Institute.”

In total, more than 100 artists submitted samples of their artwork, and dozens more sent in messages of support for the project. The submissions were reviewed by a team that included a former patient and the president of the Heart Institute’s Patient Alumni Association. Of the submissions received, 30 artists were awarded a ceiling tile, their artwork selected to go on permanent display.

Recently, all 30 ceiling tiles were unveiled at a vernissage held on September 12 at the Heart Institute. Below is a selection of photos from the event.

Ahead of the vernissage, Patient Alumni President Jean Bilodeau announced plans for a soon-to-be developed plaque to recognize the contribution of the artists.

“The Alumni Association’s mission has always been to provide support and comfort to all Heart Institute patients,” said Bilodeau. “This initiative falls perfectly within our mission now and as we look to the future. Thank you to all the wonderfully talented artists who participated in this project, and whose passion helped invigorate a plain white ceiling with tiles of healing!”

The ceiling tiles will be installed in the Heart Institute’s Day Unit and Regional Referral Centre in the coming weeks. Each bed bay will be adorned with one decorated tile. Following the installation, Colpitts and her team at the Heart Institute plan to conduct surveys to evaluate the impact of the project.

“I’m excited to see the reaction of the patients who first get to experience this new installation,” said Colpitts. “I’ll be going back to patients and staff for their feedback with the hopes of expanding the project to other areas of the hospital in the future.”

The artists and their tiles

Those familiar with Ottawa may recognize the location in the painting donated by Bev Legault. It’s a scene of the Dominion Arboretum. Bev said she took more than 150 photographs of the area to help create the serene scene shown here.
Those familiar with Ottawa may recognize the location in the painting donated by Bev Legault. It’s a scene of the Dominion Arboretum. Bev said she took more than 150 photographs of the area to help create the serene scene shown here.
“Tranquility in a Field of Poppies,” a painting by Eleni Helen Mallinos, is based on a real place in Eleni’s hometown, Florina, Greece. Eleni moved to Canada when she was eleven, and now works as a full-time artist. Eleni said, “Poppies are my peaceful place. This piece makes me smile. If I can help bring a smile to somebody else, then it’s all worth it.”
“Tranquility in a Field of Poppies,” a painting by Eleni Helen Mallinos, is based on a real place in Eleni’s hometown, Florina, Greece. Eleni moved to Canada when she was eleven, and now works as a full-time artist. Eleni said, “Poppies are my peaceful place. This piece makes me smile. If I can help bring a smile to somebody else, then it’s all worth it.”
Artist Greg Beamish’s “Weathering the Tide” is inspired by the real beauty of the Canary Islands, he said. Greg said he has always found comfort in the soothing sound of rolling waves. He hopes his painting will bring this to Heart Institute patients. Look closely: Greg has hidden a Heart Institute swirl amidst the waves to give this scene a calming touch.
Artist Greg Beamish’s “Weathering the Tide” is inspired by the real beauty of the Canary Islands, he said. Greg said he has always found comfort in the soothing sound of rolling waves. He hopes his painting will bring this to Heart Institute patients. Look closely: Greg has hidden a Heart Institute swirl amidst the waves to give this scene a calming touch.
It’s hard to believe Kate Toivonen, the artist who painted the ceiling tile shown here, has only been painting for two years. She describes herself as a hobby artist who likes to paint for fun. “I just take a picture, and I paint what I see, where I see it.” Her donation “Evening Paddle” is an image of Wolfe Lake, in Westport, ON.
It’s hard to believe Kate Toivonen, the artist who painted the ceiling tile shown here, has only been painting for two years. She describes herself as a hobby artist who likes to paint for fun. “I just take a picture, and I paint what I see, where I see it.” Her donation “Evening Paddle” is an image of Wolfe Lake, in Westport, ON.
“To me, flowers are a miracle of nature, a miracle of life,” said Manju Sah, pictured here beside her painting, “Joie de vivre.” Manju hopes her painting will bring peace and healing to those who need it, “just as real flowers do.”
“To me, flowers are a miracle of nature, a miracle of life,” said Manju Sah, pictured here beside her painting, “Joie de vivre.” Manju hopes her painting will bring peace and healing to those who need it, “just as real flowers do.”
This painting of Signal Hill in St. John’s Newfoundland is painted by Nahid Shukralla, seen here. Nahid said the work brings back pleasant memories of a family trip to the east coast. “When I think of calm, this is what I think about.”
This painting of Signal Hill in St. John’s Newfoundland is painted by Nahid Shukralla, seen here. Nahid said the work brings back pleasant memories of a family trip to the east coast. “When I think of calm, this is what I think about.”
: Russ Paquette, the artist who painted “Healing Birches,” said there aren’t any birch trees in the actual location that inspired this photo, a pond outside Perth, ON. Russ opted for silver birch trees instead because of their multitude of medicinal properties and healing qualities, which he hopes will help patients with their recovery.
Russ Paquette, the artist who painted “Healing Birches,” said there aren’t any birch trees in the actual location that inspired this photo, a pond outside Perth, ON. Russ opted for silver birch trees instead because of their multitude of medicinal properties and healing qualities, which he hopes will help patients with their recovery.
Look closely. Hidden in the branches in “Blossoms in May,” Steffi Acevedo placed a tiny four-legged friend. Steffi is a ceramic artist based in Ottawa and says watercolours and acrylics are her favourite mediums. She says “a breath of fresh air” was the inspiration behind this painting. (Hint: the four-legged friend is a tiny dachshund.)
Look closely. Hidden in the branches in “Blossoms in May,” Steffi Acevedo placed a tiny four-legged friend. Steffi is a ceramic artist based in Ottawa and says watercolours and acrylics are her favourite mediums. She says “a breath of fresh air” was the inspiration behind this painting. (Hint: the four-legged friend is a tiny dachshund.)
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