Art of health and healing™
Resilience Collection, 2023
Milton Bowens, We Care. Acrylic paint and collage on panel
CCRHF invested in the Resilience art project for the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center. Board member, Rhonda Smith helped lead the endeavor on behalf of the Foundation and worked closely with Chandra Cerrito / Art Advisors to bring it to fruition. The Resilience collection, curated by CC/AA Senior Art Consultant, Virginia Tominia and independent art advisor, Ann Schnake now graces the corridors of the hospital’s third floor. In collaboration with the center's staff, CC/AA initiated a call for artists and meticulously selected artworks primarily from Bay Area artists.
​
​
Dedicated to the essential workers at the hospital, as well as the patients and families who demonstrated remarkable strength and support during the global Covid-19 pandemic, the Resilience collection captures the spirit of the early day of the pandemic. The chosen works not only celebrate the enduring resilience embedded in the fabric and DNA of Contra Costa Regional Medical Center but also pay homage to the fortitude displayed by its community.
Beyond a mere art installation, Resilience is an expression of gratitude to healthcare workers for their bravery and contributions to the overall wellbeing of the community during challenging times. Shown are just a few pieces from the spectacular collection.
CCRMC Volunteer Susan Tunison, Untitled (Quilt). Up-cycled face mask fabric.
Connecting Hands, 2022 by Bianca Nandzik
This Art of Health and Healing™ project sponsored by CCRHF is titled "Connecting Hands." The mural was installed in the Pittsburg Health Center.
​​​
Hands are designed to build connections. You reach out with your hand. You lend a helping hand. You comfort pain and traumas of others with your hands. When you connect with your hands, you build a bridge to the other person and activity support their healing process.
This mural embodies the fact that it takes a whole community to build a path towards healing. The hands and bridges promote the diversity, unity and strength of our Contra Costa County community.
This artwork honors the support system of our patients – the clinic staff, nurses, social workers, doctors, family, friends, neighbors, and everyone who helps one another. It highlights their patience and empathy. I hope this piece reminds others of their support networks and the strength of our community as they enter the Pittsburg Health Center.
​
​​
Artist Bio:
Born and raised in Germany, Bianca Nandzik came to the United States to realize her dream of community art in her new home of San Francisco. She loves to support projects that combine art with social causes. She is the President of CULTIVATIVE and the lead artist for international community projects, which include murals at the General Hospital Roatán in Honduras and at Villa Per Se in Lima, Peru. Her art is influenced by her education in social work, art therapy and art education, as well as her background in street art. Her works can be found in public schools, hospitals, libraries and community centers.
​
Funded by:
Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation
Bianca Nandzik
