Local artists showcased throughout Memorial Medical Center to lift spirits of patients, staff

The hallways of Memorial Medical Center (MMC) are hung with spectacularly beautiful art by a wide range of local artists, and MMC is looking for more!

“The beautiful local artwork here at Memorial strengthens our standing as a place of healing and compassionate care for our community,” said MMC Chief Nursing Officer Caryn Iverson. “Countless patients, visitors, staff and providers have been uplifted or inspired by these works of art, and I often see people stopping to admire them when I walk through our hallways.”

“Particularly with the challenges over the last year and a half, this artwork can offer a sense of calm and solace to our health care heroes and family members of those who are ill,” Iverson said. “New Mexico is known for its incredibly talented artists, and we’re thrilled to continue offering our hospital as a space to showcase the intersection of art and science.”

“I receive the greatest joy when I see people stopping to look at art we have on display that intrigues them and captures their attention,” said Cynthia de Lorenzi, who is MMC’s volunteer art curator and also a Las Cruces artist whose work is part of MMC’s current art display.

“When staff recognizes me as the art Lady, they sometimes stop me to say thank you for making their hospital beautiful and it simply makes my heart sing. It is especially gratifying when they share that on really tough days, they choose to sit in a place surrounded with art that provides comfort, solace and hope,” de Lorenzi said.

You will find art in a wide range of media, including oils, acrylics, watercolor, photography

Call to artists

MMC is seeking to expand its showcase of New Mexico artists and add new works of art through the main hospital, the administration annex building and other related medical facilities, said MMC Art Curator Cynthia de Lorenzi.

The on-going MMC Initiative for Art begins in January 2022, she said.

Here are the requirements to participate as an MMC artist:

• Be an artist who resides in New Mexico
• Acceptable artwork media include oil, watercolor, acrylic, dyes, collages, ceramic, mixed-media, photography, sculpture, murals, mobiles, pottery, weaving, quilting, stained glass and more.
• Acceptable styles include realism, impressionism, contemporary and abstract.
• The MMC art program has an open theme for acceptable artwork, but it should be hospital appropriate and can include scenes, people and animals and can be contemplative, colorful, positive, uplifting, warm, friendly, comforting, humorous, etc.
• Artwork may be moved to various locations at MMC from time to time.
• Artwork will be considered for both indoor and outdoor use.
• The minimum size acceptable is 16 inches by 20 inches, including the frame. There is no maximum size requirement.
• All art should be presented in a professional manner and ready-to-hang, with picture-wire attached to the frame with D-rings installed exactly three inches from the top of the artwork. All pieces will be hung with an anti-theft hanging system by MMC staff. Artists are advised to consider UV plexiglass for watercolors and spraying paintings for sun protection.
• Interested artists should submit three to four JPEGs of completed works to be considered. Include the title of the artwork, the media, the size (including frame), the price of the artwork and the artist’s name, email address and phone number. Also include a brief biography and a JPEG of the artist.

Email the photos, artist information and biography to Janice Jones, MMC administration, at Janice.Jones@LPNT.net and Cynthia de Lorenzi at cynthia.de.lorenzi@gmail.com.

• At the time the art is delivered, MCC will ask participating artists to sign a liability waiver.
• There will be no MMC commission on art sold. Sales will be conducted between the artist and the purchaser. A donation by the artist from art sold at MMC would be appreciated, and will benefit the MMC arts fund.
• Artists will be notified as to which of their original works to bring in at a convenient time and date to the administration building on the MMC campus at 2450 S. Telshor Blvd.