1,000th picture sold through corridor art galleries

Hospital corridor art galleries which raise cash to benefit patients have sold their 1,000^th picture.

‘Langland Hut with Ball’ by Rhona Tooze was bought by Jonathan Bishop from Fforestfach, Swansea, as a present for his wife.

”It always puts a smile on her face,” he said.

The corridor galleries at Singleton Hospital in Swansea were created in 2007 when property manager and founding member of the arts and heritage team, Fiona Edwards, took over their management.

Fiona was determined that the uninteresting corridors should be more uplifting and welcoming, while raising money for the benefit of patients.

Pictured left are Batik artist Rhona Tooze and Jonathan Bishop with the 1,000^th artwork sold, ‘Langland Hut with Ball’

As a result, more areas were designated for display and local art societies were invited in to exhibit their work, with 25% of all art sales going to the Arts in Health charitable fund for improving the clinical environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Swansea Batik artist Rhona, who has work in private and public collections internationally, was happy to support the Arts in Health team and sell prints of her work in the hospital at affordable prices.

Rhona said she was thrilled and felt privileged that her picture was being celebrated as the 1,000^th sale.

“In a hospital environment, every purchase tells a story,” she said.

Pictured right: Rhona and Jonathan enjoy other art works on display from Llwchwr Art Group, of which Rhona is a member

 “People are delighted by the corridor galleries and distracted for a moment from why they are in a hospital and it means a lot to me that they make the effort to contact Fiona and arrange to make the purchase.

“I feel I have contributed to each small art project which is funded from the commission of the sales.”

Approximately £16,000 has been raised since 2007 and has been used to fund the commissioning of art students to brighten up clinic and treatment spaces.

Some pilot projects that had been funded by the art sales – storytelling, music in hospitals and wildflower planting – are now sustainably funded through grants and other sources.

The best submissions of the staff photography competition, annually run by Fiona, are also framed and displayed in patient areas.

The art societies currently exhibiting are: St Peter’s Cockett, Swansea Art Circle Fforestfach, Llwchwr Art Group Gorseinon and Silures Art Society Porthcawl.

Fiona said: “I would like to thankeveryone who has purchased a picture over the years and hope people will be encouraged to come into the hospital to look and purchase even if they are not a patient or visitor.”

To purchase a picture contact Fiona Edwards on 01792 285320 or 07826628228.