New Cottage Hospital Taps Local Art Community

Owner David Beardon worked overtime seven days a week in order to frame 620 pieces in only six weeks. The honor of being chosen as the project’s sole frame shop was worth the effort.

“The opportunity to be a part of something lasting on such a grand scale in the community was impossible to pass up,” Beardon said. Beardon was one of over a hundred Central Coast artists and artisans chosen to contribute to the new hospital’s Healing Arts Program.

The decision to use only work by locals grew out of a thorough training process that hospital staffers underwent with the help of consulting firm Aesthetics, Inc. of San Diego. The firm specializes in creating art collections for healthcare facilities that promote a healing environment.

“We thought it was a tremendous opportunity given the artistic community in Santa Barbara to work with local artists,” said Carla Long, director of planned giving for Cottage. “And we realized we would have one of the largest collections of art by living Central Coast artists anywhere.”

Ultimately, more than 1,200 pieces will be acquired for the system-wide program, including the Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley campuses. The three campuses are being rebuilt due to state requirements that all California hospitals revamp or rebuild in order to withstand a major earthquake.

Central Coast artists responded to the hospital’s open call for art with enthusiasm. Over 400 individuals submitted ideas and suggestions. The hospital’s Healing Arts Committee, tasked with choosing all of the artwork, selected 123 of those artists to be part of the collection.

The Healing Arts Committee was comprised of staff members who have the most contact with patients, such as the director of medical services, the chaplain and the chief nursing officer. The committee’s goal for the collection was to inspire and comfort patients, visitors and staff.

Richard Schloss, one of the artists asked to contribute to the hospital’s Landmark Collection highlighting 45 commissioned pieces, thought the committee’s decision to draw on local talent furthered their goal. “It creates a home-like setting that patients can relate to and contributes, I think, to the healing process,” said Schloss.

The collection is spread among the hospital’s three floors and is divided by theme. The first floor is dedicated to architecture, the second to water, ocean, and seascapes, and the third to flowers, gardens and landscapes.

In addition to the hospital’s permanent collection, three galleries that run the length of the concourses will rotate annually. Currently, the first floor features classic photographs by Eric Skipsey. The second floor displays a collection of 1930s Old Spanish Days posters organized by the Santa Barbara Historical Museum. And the third floor women’s gallery features work by Leslie Marcus.

About Santa Barbara Frame Shop

Santa Barbara Frame Shop and Gallery has been a leading resource for custom framing and art for over 20 years. Specializing in conservation framing, the Frame Shop uses only materials that ensure the longevity and beauty of each piece. All work is done on the premises by skilled craftsmen and talented designers. The gallery, which opens up to a view of the historic Arlington Theater, features original art, paintings, serigraphs, limited editions, posters and photographs by talented artists. More information can be found at www.santabarbaraframeshop.com.