The University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro will host a wine and cheese reception on Friday, March 13, to open “The Natural Order of Things,” an exhibit of mixed media and collage artworks by Renee Kumar of West Windsor. The reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Art for Healing Gallery, located in the concourse connecting UMCPP to the Medical Arts Pavilion and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.
Kumar works with watercolor and other media on paper and wood. Her work has been exhibited throughout the region, and several of her pieces are part of UMCPP’s permanent art collection, which includes about 350 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and other original works.
UMCPP’s collection was acquired over several years, and the works are displayed throughout the hospital as part of the Art for Healing program. Research shows that viewing art, particularly images of nature, can alleviate anxiety and stress, reduce blood pressure, shorten hospital stays, and even limit the need for pain medication.
The gallery, made possible by a donation from Princeton Anesthesia Services, features a local artist on a rotating basis. “The Natural Order of Things” will be on view through July 19. The artworks are available for purchase, and 20 percent of the proceeds benefit the hospital.
Kumar began painting seriously while in her 30s. The mother of three young children, she moved from New England to the suburbs of central New Jersey and took her first watercolor class with artist Arlene Milgram. Soon she was studying regularly at Artworks in Trenton with watercolorist Gail Bracegirdle and others, and she began to develop her unique style.
“My approach to watercolor has been to work more outside the box. In fact, my studio resembles a science lab: sand, salt, alcohol, bubbles . . . you name it and I’ll throw it into the work to see what happens.”
Register for attendance by Friday, March 6, at www.princetonhcs.org/art. Attendees should park in Lot V1 at the front of the hospital and use the East Entrance on the right of hospital. Attendees will be directed to the gallery.
Art Exhibit, University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, Art for Healing Gallery, 1 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro. Friday, March 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wine and cheese reception for “The Natural Order of Things,” an exhibit of mixed media and collage artworks by Renee Kumar of West Windsor. The gallery is located in the concourse connecting UMCPP to the Medical Arts Pavilion and the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center. Park in lot V1 and use the East entrance. Register. On view to July 19. 888-742-7496. www.princetonhcs.org.
