Jacobi Hospital’s Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC) art exhibit showcases a selection of artwork that inspires calmness, reflection, and stillness, in a space defined by constant movement and care
Our Bureau
Bronx, NY
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi’s Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center (CATC) unveiled a new art exhibit from NYC Health + Hospitals’ art collection that features works by Jim Dine, Charles Ford, Michael Manning, Gilbert Michaud, and many others. The exhibit showcases a selection of artwork that inspire calmness, reflection, and stillness, in a space defined by constant movement and care. The fifteen works emphasize color, rhythm, and organic form. Michael Manning’s Porcelain fills the space with color and quiet beauty, contributing to an uplifting environment where a sense of support and resilience can be felt. Works such as Jim Dine’s 8 Hearts, and Gilbert Michaud’s Irises introduce harmony and warmth, while Dano’s Floral by Charles Ford evokes a sense of belonging and community. Abstract and visually engaging works are particularly effective in healthcare settings, offering patients and staff opportunities for contemplative engagement. By inviting reflection and personal interpretation, these works can help reduce stress and foster a sense of healing.
In addition, Jacobi Hospital’s outpatient addiction clinic, also known as CATC, has been piloting art immersion experiences at art exhibits in the community, an under-utilized resource for social connection. The art immersion experience operates in three stages, consisting of an introductory primer group session, a group museum visit, and a follow-up debriefing session in collaboration with staff from NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine and a community-based arts education group, the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Over two dozen CATC patients at Jacobi Hospital have had the opportunity to participate in these art immersion experiences, including visits to the Guggenheim and Frick museums. 100% of the patients found it rewarding and wanted to join more art exhibit visits in the future.
With the introduction of the art work in the clinical spaces, patients who have participated in the art immersion experiences reported increasing comfort and appreciation of art as a form of social connection and healing. Patients who have not yet participated in the art immersion experiences have also been inquiring about future opportunities to do so. In addition to art immersion trips, CATC is also working on helping patients sign up for NYC IDs to facilitate free or discounted entry to community-focused art shows.
“Thank you to the NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine team for the generous donation. We are incredibly grateful to receive this inspiring art exhibit!” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx CEO Christopher Mastromano. “When our patients walk through the doors to this department, I hope they take a moment to view the artwork, reflect on the feelings it brings up, and continue to be curious about art.”
“We have a large collection selected from over 8,000 art works, and this exhibit is especially exciting because it features large pieces to activate the environment of the Behavioral Health unit,” said NYC Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine Curatorial and Community Engagement Associate Emireth Herrera Valdés. “The art works selected by NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine were created by diverse artists with a diverse audience of patients in mind. This was the chosen unit to display these large pieces of abstract work to help inspire new moods and emotions.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about this art exhibit!” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Chair of Behavioral Services Dr. Maryann Popiel. “This Arts in Medicine programming and the art installation for our CATC has created an opportunity for our patients to have easy and supported access to the world of art. This new exposure has led to increased feelings of joy and possibility. It has truly been transformative in the options it has created.”
“It has been such a joy to witness firsthand the healing, growth and genuine excitement we see within our patients through the incorporation of art therapy and immersive art experiences,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi Mental Health Counselor Rachel Yeung. “Many of our patients have shared that these experiences have inspired a newfound appreciation for the arts while also instilling renewed hope and motivation within their healing journey. It’s truly an inspiring reminder of the power of art in mental health and substance use recovery.”