by Guest contributor Julie Chase
Photo credit: Courtesy of Julie Chase
Georgetowner and American abstract and color field artist Annemarie Ryan donated 16 pieces of mixed-media works on canvas and paper from her Shining Through series to the Verstandig Pavilion at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital on December 5th. Wrapping around the Atrium in the Emily and Neil Kishter Lobby of the Pavilion, her vibrant three-dimensional paintings that dramatically showcase her bold and deliberate use of color, joyfully invites the viewer onto a pathway of hope, inspiration and healing. Annemarie’s generous gift was made in appreciation of the expert and compassionate care both she and her husband received under the guidance of physicians, nurses, and staff at MedStar Georgetown.
Tom and Annemarie Ryan
“I conceived and painted these works to speak to the viewer about the daunting challenges we all encounter as members of the global human family, and I invite the viewer onto a shining, optimistic pathway of faith, hope, love, and healing,” said Annemarie.
Annemarie was born in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and she and her husband Tom are long-time residents of Georgetown. Her paintings have been exhibited in the US and abroad, including Miami Art Basel, La Biennale di Venezia, Le Grande Palais in Paris, as well as in galleries in New York City, Miami, and Mexico City. Her work also has been featured in various publications such as Condé Nast and Artnet News, is catalogued on Artsy, and can be found in private collections throughout the US.
Scott Altman, Jennifer and David Romm, Jill Altman, Dr. Erica Chemtob
Guests attending the uplifting reveal and champagne toast that concluded the meaningful tributes from MedStar’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Song and Neurosurgery Director Dr. Christopher Kalhorn, included Nancy Taylor Bubes, Jennifer and David Romm, Betsy Emes, Dr. Buffy Miles and Tony Miles, Amalie Reichblum, Dana Kuhar, Florence and Frank Auld, Fabiola Martens and Spiros Voyadzis, and Constance Chatfield.
Moira Bogrov, Annemarie Ryan, Fabiola Martens
“Despite their differences, both art and surgery share a common purpose – to restore wholeness, or what we refer to in the Medstar Georgetown tradition as cura personalis — care for the whole person,” said Christopher Kalhorn, MD, Department of Neurosurgery, director, Epilepsy & Functional Neurosurgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. “Surgery heals the body physically while art heals the heart and the mind. Together these two disciplines remind us that healing is a holistic process that involves both the body and the soul. We are honored that Annemarie’s work will be a constant force of healing and light for our patients and their families.”
Pat Lonardo, Nancy Taylor Bubes, Annemarie Ryan, Dr. Sandee Carson
“Each one of us may find ourselves overwhelmed by fear and anxiety when we are faced with the trauma of serious injury or illness, added Annemarie. “But each of us also has the power to choose how we respond to the adversity that is an inevitable part of every human story. It’s my hope these paintings provide joy and inspiration to all in the face of these challenges.”
When patients and their families face trauma, illness, or grief, the healing powers of art have proven to be therapeutic, helping to process pain and providing emotional release as they seek meaning during their struggles. Art has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and alleviate physical pain which supports the journey to healing.
Guests in the Emily and Neil Kishter Lobby of the Pavilion
The installation is located on the second of two levels of surgical suites in the Verstandig Pavilion where MedStar Georgetown incorporates “Comfort OR” to ensure families stay up-to-date on the progress of their loved ones during surgery by text messages in real time directly from the surgical team in the OR.
“Annemarie Ryan’s work invites us, our patients, and our patients’ family members into a world where creativity, passion, and storytelling come alive,” said Dr. David Song, chief medical officer and vice president of Medical Affairs of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. “The exhibit exudes a pathway of hope, inspiration, and healing to all who view it.”
