The Lakefront Gallery in RWJ University Hospital Hamilton is an oasis in the bustling medical center. It is a place to take a moment and have a look at artwork that may take your mind away from the other aspects of the hospital.
The gallery is a long space that is above the busy Garden Café cafeteria. The size of the space challenges the viewer to slow their pace and meander the length of the gallery pausing to admire the carefully hung artwork. The gallery is curated by the Princeton Photography Club and shows all type of artwork.
We interviewed Princeton Photography club president Dave Burwell about the gallery.
How did curating Lakefront Gallery come about?
Our relationship with Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton was initiated about 10 years ago by Sheila Geisler, who together with her husband Carl, led the Princeton Photography Club for many years. Sheila believed in the power of photography to help create a more calming and healing environment.
This aligned nicely with an initiative within the hospital led by Diane Grillo, vice president of health promotion.
How many pieces can be shown in the gallery? What are the dimensions or wall space of the gallery?
It is a large, beautiful, and well-lit gallery, which can hold 75 to 100 artworks at one time.
Are there opening receptions when a new exhibition opens?
We are on a quarterly exhibition schedule, with new exhibits opening roughly Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1 and Nov. 1. We typically hold opening receptions on the Wednesday evening, 5-7 p.m., following each of those dates. Our next reception will be on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Receptions are free, and all are invited to attend.
What types of art are on exhibit?
We have exhibited many types of artworks over the years, including painting, quilt works, collage, digital art and photography, of course. We also help run the Congressional Art Competition each year. This is a national competition for high school students, organized by each member of Congress in their district, with the winning artwork to be hung Washington for a year.
How is the art received by patients and hospital staff?
We have received tremendously positive feedback from the staff and patients at the hospital. The staff love to walk the gallery, which is located in a well-travelled part of the hospital, and look forward to each new exhibition. It seems that works of art depicting nature have particular appeal to the staff.
What fight/struggle do you have regarding the curating of the Lakefront Gallery?
Honestly, there really isn’t any struggle at all. The staff at the hospital are hugely supportive and help us whenever a need arises. We have a backlog of exhibits planned out about 12-18 months. My only wish is that more people were able to view the exhibits.
Must one be a member of photography club to exhibit?
No, we are open to exhibition proposals from anyone. The only caveat is that the artwork must be appropriate for the hospital setting and mission.
Are artwork sales handled through the Princeton Photography Club or through the hospital? Do artist talks or other events take place at the gallery during exhibitions?
Artwork sales are handled directly with the artists and the hospital receives a donation for each piece sold. We do hold artist talks, but typically not at the gallery during the reception, rather at one of our other weekly meetings.
What is on the horizon?
I always look forward seeing are the amazing range of artistic expression that is on display in each exhibit and am grateful to the hospital for providing a a beautiful space when it can be shared.
I also appreciate seeing the personal growth and satisfaction in the individuals who display their work. For many, it is the first time they have shown their work in a gallery, and there are so many details that go into producing an exhibition — it is a big accomplishment.
The Princeton Photography Club is a wonderful, diverse group of individuals who share a love for photography and enjoy exploring new ideas in photography and the related arts. Our mission is to help our members become better photographers, and the learning that comes from producing an exhibit at Lakefront Gallery is invaluable.
RWJUH Hospital has asked Community News to add: “If you have any questions or would like more information about the Lakefront Gallery at RWJUH Hamilton located inside the hospital at 1 Hamilton Health Place, Hamilton Township, NJ, contact Diane Grillo, VP, Health Promotions at Diane.Grillo@rwjbh.org.”
People gathered at Lakefront Gallery at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.,
