The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine‘s Creativity in Health Education Program will host a community tour and artists’ reception
As people, we are all open to tragedies, illnesses, and other bad things. But a study cited by Harvard Public Health has proven what many people have thought for a long time: hope is linked to better coping, well-being, and quality of life. Hope has been shown to be an important tool in life.
The Creativity in Health Education Program at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke will host a community tour and artists’ reception for its current art show, “The Healing Power of Hope,” on February 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the school at 2 Riverside Circle.
Dave Trinkle, the school’s associate dean for community engagement, said, “We’re thrilled to have the work of so many very talented artists on display.” “This show gives us a chance to really feel how important hope is to healing, whether it’s in ourselves, our friends and family, or our community as a whole.”
The show includes works by Kristy Ottinger of Ottinger Quilts in Greeneville, Tennessee, Jay Flack of Flacktion Art in Johnson City, Tennessee, and the late William Fields, who are all featured artists.
Flack said, “Hope meant the most to me when I realized I didn’t feel or have any hope left.” “Hope is like having the best flashlight when it’s dark, in my opinion. It’s not a plan, but it’s a great tool and even a teacher. I feel so lucky to be a part of this show.”
Fields is from Chilhowie, Virginia, and is known for his expressive works of art that tell stories about his life.
Anna Buchanan, the curator of the William King Museum of Art in Abingdon, said, “William always took life one day at a time with a sense of hope and grace.” Last year, she put together a show of Fields’ work. “William was always trying to figure out what he could learn from a situation, whether it was good or bad. That in and of itself is a sign of a hopeful person, and I think that idea comes through in his art.”
Fields died in the year 2021.
Ottinger makes quilts for a living and teaches others how to do it. She is best known for her story quilts, which she decorates with found objects, mixed media, embroidery, paint, writing, and more.
She said, “Making art is my way of worshipping.” “Everything that is made is a spiritual talk. Each bead sewn on or object found and attached has a prayer written on it.”
A collection of art from Roanoke’s Child Health Investment Partnership is on display as part of the show (CHIP). Families that CHIP helps as well as staff and board members were encouraged to bring a sense of hope to life through any kind of art they wanted. CHIP submissions are shown in one part of the exhibition.
Rachel Hopkins, the CEO of CHIP, said, “This was such a unique and important chance for the CHIP community.” “There are many themes that run through the work, and they all have to do with hope as a way to heal. Some pieces show how strong our families are by telling the stories of how they overcame health problems and other problems.
Hopkins talked about a mother who took a picture of the moment she walked into her new home for the first time after being homeless and experiencing “intimate partner violence.” Through pictures, other mothers told the stories of how they became parents through adoption.
“A relationship based on trust is at the heart of the CHIP model. Most of the art shows this as a sign of hope, whether it’s between a mother and child, grandparents and grandchildren, or friends,” she said.
Through May 8, “The Healing Power of Hope” will be on display. If you can’t make it to the opening reception, you can still see the show at a different time by sending an email to Courtney Powell or calling 540-526-2588.
