A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the opening of a new art exhibit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC) on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Part of NYC Health + Hospitals’ art collection, this exhibit features 15 total works. The artworks are intended to inspire calmness, reflection and stillness in a space that is defined by constant movement and care. Color, rhythm and organic form are emphasized in these works.
“Thank you to the NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine team for the generous donation. We are incredibly grateful to receive this inspiring art exhibit,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx CEO Christopher Mastromano said. “When our patients walk through the doors to this department, I hope they take a moment to view the artwork, reflect on the feelings it brings up and continue to be curious about art.”
Among the 15 artworks are Jim Dine’s “8 Hearts” and Gilbert Michaud’s “Irises,” which introduce harmony and warmth, as well as Michael Manning’s “Porcelain,” which fills the space with color and quiet beauty, contributing to an uplifting environment where visitors can feel a sense of support and resilience. A sense of belonging and community is evoked by Charles Ford’s “Dano’s Floral.”
“We have a large collection selected from over 8,000 artworks, and this exhibit is especially exciting because it features large pieces to activate the environment of the Behavioral Health unit,” NYC Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine Curatorial and Community Engagement Associate Emireth Herrera Valdés said. “The artworks selected by NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine were created by diverse artists with a diverse audience of patients in mind. This was the chosen unit to display these large pieces of abstract work to help inspire new moods and emotions.”
Abstract and visually engaging works of art have been found to be effective in healthcare settings, as they can offer both patients and staff members opportunities for contemplative engagement. The artworks in this exhibit can help reduce stress and foster a sense of healing by inviting reflection and personal interpretation.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this art exhibit,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Chair of Behavioral Services Dr. Maryann Popiel said. “This Arts in Medicine programming and the art installation for our CATC has created an opportunity for our patients to have easy and supported access to the world of art. This new exposure has led to increased feelings of joy and possibility. It has truly been transformative in the options it has created.”
Jacobi Hospital’s CATC has been piloting art immersion experiences in exhibits across the community. Operating in three stages, these art immersion experiences consist of an introductory primer group session, a group museum visit and a follow-up debriefing session in collaboration with staff from NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine and the National Guild for Community Arts Education. More than 24 patients from the CATC have taken part in these immersive experiences, with all of them finding it rewarding and expressing a desire to join more art exhibits in the future.
The introduction of artworks to the clinical spaces has led to patients who previously took part in the art immersion experiences to report increasing comfort and appreciation of art as a form of social connection and healing. Additionally, patients who have not yet taken part in the art immersion experiences have asked about future opportunities to do so.
The CATC is also helping parents sign up for NYC IDs to facilitate their child’s free or discounted entry to community-focused art shows.
“It has been such a joy to witness firsthand the healing, growth and genuine excitement we see within our patients through the incorporation of art therapy and immersive art experiences,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Mental Health Counselor Rachel Yeung said. “Many of our patients have shared that these experiences have inspired a newfound appreciation for the arts while also instilling renewed hope and motivation within their healing journey. It’s truly an inspiring reminder of the power of art in mental health and substance use recovery.”
The CATC’s main mission is to provide those experiencing problems with substance use with access to low-barrier, person-centered and evidence-based care. It offers walk-in services, comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, medical management of withdrawal and cravings, individual counseling and psychotherapy, vocational counseling, group-based visits and other recovery support services.
“This is a beautiful experience for both of us, the staff and for our patients,” NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Associate Director Mental Health Services Sherrifa Bailey, LSCW, said. “The artwork brings color and meaning to the department, while upgrading the space. I’ve seen our patients really enjoy getting off the elevator, seeing the colors and feeling welcomed. The addition of the art exhibit has turned this space into a community that is invaluable.”
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s Department of Behavioral Health Services also offers patients in the emergency department and inpatient units addiction consultation and linkage to care services. Additionally, this department provides co-located comprehensive care by collaborating with medical, surgical, dental and women’s health services.
