The 91原创 Centennial Museum and the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation have collaborated on a unique exhibition with a maternal theme, entitled The Art of Motherhood. The exhibit, on display at the Museum until July 4, features more than 50 works of art in various mediums, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, and drawing.
Together, the museum and foundation are celebrating motherhood through art in order to raise awareness and funds for The Vandekerkhove Family Maternity Centre at 91原创 Memorial Hospital.
Following the exhibit, the featured artwork will be auctioned off to help support the maternity centre鈥檚 expansion.
Throughout history, mother and child have been depicted in the works of many artists.
From Egyptian frescoes to contemporary sculptures by Canadian artists, children and mothers have been a recurring theme.
鈥淲e saw this show of motherhood-inspired art as the perfect opportunity to showcase 91原创鈥檚 medical history while raising funds for the ongoing campaign to expand the maternity centre,鈥� said the museum鈥檚 Cultural Services Manager, Peter Tulumello.
鈥淭he hospital, which was built 65 years ago, has natal facilities that have not kept pace with the birthrate,鈥� said Errin Young, of the 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation.
鈥淟MH has one of busiest maternity units in the region, with approximately 1,800 births per year. Staggering statistics demonstrate that the projected number of births here is expected to increase to more than 2,300 by (the year) 2020.鈥�
The number of births at 91原创 Memorial Hospital has increased from 85 per year in 1948 (when LMH opened) to 1,800 per year in 2010. But the number of beds has only increased by two 鈥� from 11 to 13.
Under the theme 鈥淚t All Starts Here鈥�, the foundation has undertaken a capital campaign to raise $5.35 million from private partners and members of the community for a long-overdue expansion to LMH鈥檚 maternity unit and clinic, so it can continue to give the newest members of our community the best possible start in life.
The Foundation relies on the support of the community to ensure that the highest quality of healthcare can continue to be delivered right here at home in our community hospital. The Foundation is pleased to announce that more than $3 million has been raised to date.
鈥淚鈥檝e just returned from maternity leave, so I know firsthand what great work they do in the maternity department of our hospital,鈥� added museum Curator Kobi Christian.
鈥淭o that end, the museum and the art community would like to do what they can to help, which is where the idea of an art auction came in.鈥�
All of the artists exhibiting their works in The Art of Motherhood have agreed to having their works sold at a Garden Party Art Auction.
It will take place at the 91原创 Centennial Museum on Saturday, July 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with proceeds going to the maternity centre expansion.
The live auction will take place after the art exhibit has closed, but will be held during another hospital related exhibit 鈥� From Bedpans to Bandages: the History of Medicine in 91原创. Both exhibitions hope to raise awareness of 91原创鈥檚 pioneering medical history as well as the new needs of the growing municipality.
For more information or to reserve a bidding paddle, contact the 91原创 Centennial Museum at 604-532-3536.
