art heals
Arts & Medicine
Developing programs to incorporate art with medicine was a main focus in Carol’s life from 2002-2008 to reach out to the community at large.
While living in Louisiana, she was recognized and nominated for the “Professional Artist of the Year” Governor’s Arts Award in 2005 for her work with cancer patients.
Phase I of the Arts in Medicine Programs
Hospitalized cancer patients re-created master artist paintings (Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, etc.) while they received chemotherapy treatments. These works were guaranteed to be beautiful.
Each artwork piece was 4-foot by 5-foot in size and consisted of 20 individual squares of art painted by patients and their family members. Carol transposed the master artwork in squares in a “paint-by-number” system for the them to paint.
It was a special moment for the patients to see their art hung on the walls of the hospital, with their names engraved on a plaque below each art pieces. After hanging on hospital walls, the art was moved to local galleries and museums to make room for new patient art.
Phase II of the Arts in Medicine Programs
Some patients wanted to continue making art, but small enough to hang in their homes. Carol then developed “Phase II” of the program and transposed the masters artwork in a smaller format and divided the pieces into just four sections.
Carol organized and created Arts in Medicine programs for three hospitals from 2002-2008.
- Location: Louisiana State University in Shreveport Health Medical Services: Feist Weiller Cancer Treatment Center
- Program Name and Details: “Arts In Medicine” – Carol developed and coordinated art projects together with the cancer patients she has hung 135 paintings (4-foot by 5-foot in size) at the Center, one of which hangs at the Governor’s mansion in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She worked with 20 volunteers (2-3 volunteers per day).
- Dates: 2002-2005
- Carol’s Position: Developer and Coordinator
- Number of Paintings Hung: 135
- Location: Christus Schumphert Hospital Cancer Treatment Center in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Program Name: “Healing Arts”
- Dates: 2005-2008
- Carol’s Position: Coordinator
- Number of Paintings Hung: 35
- Location: West Houston Medical Center in Houston, Texas
- Program Name: “Healing Arts”
- Dates: 2007
- Carol’s Position: Coordinator
- Number of Paintings Hung: 4
Community & The Arts
As a teacher of visual arts and a practicing artist, Carol’s life has been devoted to the awareness of art.
Her career as an artist has led her to develop many ways to educate children and adults about the enrichment and beauty that art can accomplish.
1994-2002 – Bossier Arts Council (BAC) | Bossier Parish, Louisiana
- 1994-2002 – Full Time Teacher for “Arts in Education”. Funded by Bossier Arts Council (BAC) and Bossier Parish Schools in Louisiana. Worked in partnership with 18 Bossier Parish elementary schools as a full-time visiting artist to bring art lessons to 8,000 students a year in grades 1-5. There were currently no art teachers in these underfunded schools.
- 1997-1998 – Art Teacher for “Artist in Action”. Pierre Bossier Mall. Brought art to children at the local mall.
1992-1997 – Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC) | Shreveport, Louisiana
- 1994-1997 – Coordinator and Art Teacher for “Art Break”. Taught art and poetry to 3rd grade students for largest children’s festival in Louisiana
- 1994-1996 – Developer & Coordinator for both the Shreveport Symphony & Education Departments. Shreveport, Louisiana. Caddo and Bossier Parishes. Arranged for high school students to visit the symphony for free.
- 1993 – Apprentice at the Barnwell Art Museum. Caddo Parish. Helped coordinate incoming art for displays and shows.
- 1992-1995 – Art Instructor for “Art in the Parks”. Shreveport Parks and Recreation (SPAR) Summer Art Camps. Brought art to children who would normally not have the opportunity for classes. This was for three months in the summer, four days a week. Funded by the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA).
- 1992 – Intern at the Shreveport Regional Arts Council (SRAC). Shreveport, LA
Do you want to start an “Art & Medicine” or “Community Art” program in your area?
Carol is available to consult and/or coordinate. She can provide you with valuable guidance for creating art projects and programs. She can also advise you on how to go about coordinating funding (grants) for your programs.