York Hospital celebrates World Art Day, April 15
YORK, Maine — World Art Day is an international celebration of the fine arts, declared by the International Association of Art to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide. Held each year on April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, World Art Day provides an opportunity to affirm the role of the visual arts in our world. York Hospital joins in celebrating local visual artists for their role in support of the mental and physical health of all in the community.
The York Hospital Art Committee annually reviews proposals submitted by local artists and selects several finalists to display their artwork in the hospital café and online art gallery for the coming year. Currently, Maine artist Matt Gunn is on display through April. Of his painting, Gunn states: “I’m currently developing a series of paintings based on my experiences working along Portsmouth’s industrial waterfront. I have always been fascinated by the grittier side of our industrial waterfront where I work in and around enormous machines and ships. I am drawn to the enormous scale, elaborate geometry, and the bold colors (chosen for their utility and safety rather than for any aesthetic consideration) of these places. I offer a different perspective: a view looking from the inside out on the unique juxtaposition of machinery, land, water, and sky of the Piscataqua River region.”
In May, local artist Sarah Cassani will hang her exhibit which will be on display through August. Beginning in September, New England watercolor artist Roger Morin will feature his artwork through the end of the year. Cassani recently shared her excitement about her exhibit on her webpage saying, “I am thrilled to have been selected to exhibit my work at York Hospital’s Café this summer. I plan to unveil a few paintings that I have never exhibited before. York Hospital has played a special part in my life, and I am really looking forward to this nostalgic exhibition of my oil paintings in a space that I can remember since childhood.”
A portion of the proceeds from each piece sold will be donated to support York Hospital’s Caring for All Fund. Art Committee Chair Cynthia Hosmer states: “York Hospital is an important part of our community, and we’re hopeful that the Café Art Gallery and online site will help raise funds to support the hospital’s mission to care for all when needed most.”
To view the paintings in person, the York Hospital Dining Room is open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To view the online art gallery 24/7 visit https://www.yorkhospital.com/online-art-gallery/. The online gallery also includes works from previous exhibitions.