For the first time, patients and members of the public will have access to the The University of Vermont Medical Center’s extensive collection of Vermont artwork by visiting a virtual gallery (uvmhealth.org/medcenterart) created in collaboration with Burlington City Arts. Development of the online collection was funded from the “Drawing Inspiration Fund”, established with the generous support of the late artist Michael Buckley and his wife Laura Lipton.
More than 100 selections of paintings and photographs from 35 Vermont artists can now be easily viewed by anyone from any computer, smartphone or other device. Visitors can browse and search the collection, learn about the artists, share their thoughts, and view thematic “exhibitions”.
“My husband Michael’s experience as a patient at the The University of Vermont Cancer Center gave him insight into the need for introspection and emotional connection during challenging times,” said Laura Lipton. “The online art collection provides a unique way for patients, caregivers, loved ones and the larger community to interact with art - and each other - as they face the shared challenges of medical treatment.”
“We continue to hear from patients and families about the positive difference the artwork makes in their recovery,” said Dawn LeBaron, vice president of hospital services at the UVM Medical Center. “We’re very grateful to Laura Lipton for making it possible to share this wonderful artwork far beyond the limits of our facility.”
"Our community is fortunate to have an institution committed to supporting health and healing through art,” said Kerri Macon of the Vermont Metro Gallery at Burlington City Arts. “The investment and commitment the UVM Medical Center has made to collect Vermont artists, and be thoughtful and intentional in growing its collection, continues to have a tremendous impact on our creative community. We are thrilled the collection will be accessible to a wider audience to deepen its impact on the health and healing of our community.”
For decades, the UVM Medical Center - thanks to many generous donors - has bought and displayed art as a way to create a more pleasant environment for patients and visitors, support local artists and contribute to healing. Although much of the artwork is on display throughout the hospital campus and satellite buildings, pieces in patient-care settings are not accessible to everyone.
Artwork will continue to be added to the website from the UVM Medical Center’s collection of more than 400 pieces. In the future, visitors can expect more exhibitions and more opportunities for interaction.
Read about what motivated Laura Lipton to create the Drawing Inspiration fund (https://medcenterblog.uvmhealth.org/)
To donate to the Drawing Inspiration Fund please visit here.
For general information about the project, the artwork, or the artists please contact our staff.
Michael Buckley, was an award-winning New England artist known for capturing slices of life in his work: a moment in nature, sports, or a candid human interaction. His work has been shown in galleries and museums throughout the United States and Canada, and is included in private collections all over the world.
Burlington City Arts is celebrating 35 years of supporting the arts, and is dedicated to connecting community to the arts through creation, experimentation, and education in all forms of contemporary art.