ALMH show to preview new collection of Logan County art

[November 08, 2010]  A special Art Sponsorship Preview Show will open at ALMH from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday. Featured are all the images planned for the passageways, waiting areas, meeting rooms and patient rooms at the new Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, which is scheduled to open in March.

Each piece of artwork in the new building is available for sponsorship, with proceeds going toward the Preserve the Mission capital campaign. Gift levels for exclusive sponsorship range from $500 to $3,000 and include a naming plaque beneath each framed image. Selections are available to the community on a first-come, first-served basis.

Commissioned paintings and photographs feature the unique architecture and landscape of Logan County. Featured artists and images include:

• Acrylic on canvas paintings of Route 66 icons "The Pig Hip," "The Mill" and "The Tropics" by Tom Gross.

• Pen, ink and watercolor images of historic architectural gems in Lincoln, Atlanta, Mount Pulaski, Elkhart and Middletown by John Stoeckley.

• Watercolors of the Deaconess Home and Hospital, current ALMH, and the new hospital by Stan Squires.

• Photographs of the rural Logan County landscape in all seasons by highly regarded central Illinois photographer Larry Kanfer.

• Impressionist paintings of Elkhart Bridge, Scully Park and Latham Park by Mike McNeil.

• Logan County sunrises and Kickapoo Creek Park by painter Leland Hahn of Lincoln.

• An interpretation of a Logan County cornfield in the spring, summer and fall by colored pencil artist Linda Wilmott.

• Images of the American flag flying over Logan County, in ways most of us have never imagined, by photographers Dylan Punke and Todd Shaak.

• Colorful and whimsical work by Lincoln artists Kit Sunderland and Kerry Rolewicz.

In addition, nearly 100 photographs of landscapes and macro images from nature will be placed in patient rooms and on patient units. These are also available for sponsorship.

"Studies suggest that a patient’s healing is enhanced by views of nature," says Marty Ahrends, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Healthcare Foundation and coordinator of the art program. "While all of our inpatients and rehab clients will be able to enjoy nice views outside their windows, many of our treatment rooms and hallways do not feature windows. Our selection of artwork will offer patients and staff colorful and relaxing views of nature, regardless of where they are in the building."

The new ALMH campus will replace the 56-year-old current building. The ongoing $5.5 million capital campaign will aid in the costs associated with the transition to the new facility, one better suited to meet the needs of modern health care. Designed around patient safety, quality and convenience, the replacement hospital will accommodate future technological growth and ease the daily access of patients.

[Text from file received from Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital]