Art & Health Collaboration at Russell Regional Hospital

Russell Original Art Review, ROAR, and Russell Regional Hospital have worked together collaboratively since 1981 to provide original art pieces on display at RRH for patients, workforce and the public to enjoy. ROAR maintains ownership of the original art pieces and assists yearly in inventory and placement of the pieces they have collected from their annual ROAR show. It’s a one-of-a kind collection that can be seen throughout Russell Regional Hospital. Each piece has a display marker that indicates the name of the piece, the artist and the year in which the piece was purchased.

Why health and art? In recent decades, understanding and acceptance has occurred around the intrinsic health benefit to artistic and leisure activities. Art can assist in emotionally navigating the journey of illness and injury. Including art in health care has also shown to not only support healthy outcomes for patients but also health care workforce. The ROAR pieces can be seen throughout the RRH facility and classroom. The public is welcome to view the collection Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday, 8am to noon. The public is asked to be mindful of their surroundings and allow patients and staff first courtesy. Pictures of the art collection are welcome. Pictures of patients and staff is prohibited.

Russell Original Art Review, ROAR, is one of the oldest running art shows in Kansas starting in 1969, exclusive to Russell. The annual three-day art show is held in Russell at the 4-H building each October and features only original art from Kansas artists. For more information about ROAR, please visit roarart.org. Russell Regional Hospital is pleased to be involved in this art-based partnership with Russell Original Art Review and hopes that the public will enjoy the unique original pieces on display throughout the RRH health campus at 200 S. Main, Russell, Ks.