More than 100 pieces by Vermont artists are on display, available to browse and search in a virtual gallery whose beginnings sprang from the desire to honor the memory of a loved one.
The gallery provides a way for the public, as well as patients and caregivers, at The University of Vermont Medical Center to interact with its extension collection of art and with each other.
Drawing Inspiration encompasses what's thought to be Vermont's largest public collection of Vermont artwork and as more artwork is acquired and made available for the public to view, the collection will continue to grow.
Drawing Inspiration came to be after Laura Lipton's husband, visual artist Michael Buckley, was a patient at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. His experiences there, "Gave him insight into the need for introspection and emotional connection during challenging times. His life as a working artist reflected the many ways that art provides this respite," according to the website.
The virtual gallery lets viewers click through the enormous collection of Vermont artwork owned by the hospital, and engage with others by commenting on the art pieces.
"We all know that artwork really reflects our human experience, whether through our emotions, visually what we see can both be an outlet for our emotions ourselves [and] for the artist." - Kerri Macon, Burlington City Arts
Kerri Macon from the Vermont Metro Gallery at Burlington City Artssays this is the first time the hospital has had their art collection online. "UVM Medical Center has been collecting artwork [that is] on view in many of their spaces throughout the hospital but now for the first time we are beginning to be able to get that collection online," she says.
Macon says that at this time there are 156 items in the online gallery but the medical center has over 500 objects in their collection that will eventually be online. "Those pieces are then going to be curated into online exhibitions where there will be different interactive activities for the audience to be able to engage with the artwork ... for patients and visitors at the hospital and beyond," Macon says.
"We all know that artwork really reflects our human experience, whether through our emotions, visually what we see can both be an outlet for our emotions ourselves [and] for the artist. It can serve as inspiration for the viewers," she adds.
Macon is the curator for "Illuminate," the first exhibition of works within the online gallery that looks at the power of light.
