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Prized hospital art collection in appeal for cash

A fundraising drive is under way to repair and replenish thousands of pieces of art belonging to the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust.
A fundraising drive is under way to repair and replenish thousands of pieces of art belonging to the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust.

For 30 years, it has made trips to hospital in Aberdeen a little more bearable for thousands of patients and visitors.

Now the art collection which has graced wards and NHS corridors across the city is in need of its own dose of care.

A fundraising drive is under way to repair and replenish thousands of pieces of art belonging to the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust.

It is hoped to generate £2,000 pledges for each of the 200 wards where the paintings, prints and etchings hang.

The 200 Wards Appeal comes as the Grampian Hospital Arts Trust (GHAT) celebrates its 30th anniversary of brightening up the hospital environment and making its visitors more at ease.

Sally Thomson, director of GHAT, said: “We have been here for 30 years and the collection is superb but there does come a point where it needs a little bit of TLC.

“The big corporations already support us, but we want the smaller and medium-sized businesses to get involved.”

Ms Thomson said that the high-quality collection, which contains 4,500 pieces and has been built up through donations, bequests and purchases, had improved the hospital experience in Aberdeen.

She said: “Walking into a good environment makes you feel that people care and that someone has taken the time to create a space where you feel more comfortable and feel more like being at home.

“It is the difference between going into a house where no one gives you a cup of tea and you are left on your own, to walking into a house where you are given a nice welcome.”

The appeal comes as a new era dawns at GHAT with its purpose built gallery – The Suttie Space – due to open in the heart of the Foresterhill health campus this autumn.

The Suttie Space will host curated exhibitions and display specially commissioned works of art, with a view to making it a key cultural venue in Aberdeen.

“As far as we aware, we think it is the only contemporary arts space in an acute hospital setting. There are lots of arts projects and lots of arts and health projects, but nothing like this,” Ms Thomson said.

Dr Pauline Strachan, NHS Grampian deputy chief executive praised the work of GHAT.

She said: “Patients, visitors and staff have benefited from the work of GHAT for nearly 30 years, whether it is the pleasure of seeing paintings of local places as you pass along a hospital corridor, or looking at special exhibitions before you visit a relative, or patients of all ages taking part in creative sessions, or simply feeling uplifted by the colours or topics of artwork you encounter.”

To donate, contact sally.thomson@nhs.net or deidra.baker@nhs.net

Small businesses will the be sent a pack on how to sponsor a ward.