Did you know that Orange Regional Gallery, in partnership with Orange Health Service, is now presenting weekly Art Conversations at the health service?

A growing body of evidence suggests that art can contribute significantly to a sense of wellbeing and aides in recovery by humanising and bringing warmth to what can otherwise be a sterile setting.

With support from the Orange Regional Art Foundation and Friends of the Orange Regional Gallery, the ground-breaking display of the Gallery’s permanent collection at Orange Health Service is providing access to high-quality art for staff, volunteers and the general public while adding colour and interest to the health care environment.

You are invited to participate in hour-long educational sessions designed to increase awareness of the art on display at the Orange Health Service, facilitate meaningful engagement with works of art and encourage discussion around personal interpretations.

Participants experience an extensive loan of paintings, drawings and graphics from the Orange Regional Gallery’s permanent collection [the first time a major public collection has been installed in a health care setting in Australia] as well as award-winning community art projects situated around the Health Service such as the Weaving Wellbeing Project in the Cafeteria courtyard.

There are also opportunities to see Freya Blackwood’s fabulous new mural in the children’s ward and Vince Lovecchio’s space-transforming large scale photographs in the Lachlan secure entry.

Sessions are held weekly on Fridays at 1.00pm.

Bookings are essential by calling the General Hospital reception desk 02 6369 3590

For more information on the Art and Health program at Orange Health Service please contact curator Bradley Hammond on 02 6393 8161.