We all realize the importance of spending time in the great outdoors, soaking up the sights and sounds of Mother Nature, yet it's difficult to make time for it. Once a year, I make it a priority to explore, marvel, photograph and appreciate the art that exists in nature.

This year, I had the privilege of visiting Utah's Zion National Park, where I wandered through the trails and stumbled upon a stack of stones known as cairns. Not only did the stones take my breath away, but they also sparked a conversation about the beauty of shifting perspectives.

When you leave the stale air and manufactured sounds of an indoor office to spend some time in nature, you can't help but gain a new perspective. And when you view a work of art - such as a stack of stones along a dirt path in the woods - you approach it from your own unique perspective. Yet, as you circle the object, you gain another perspective - a new vantage point. And each person who views a piece of artwork along a hospital corridor has a unique perspective - and a distinct set of opinions, beliefs and feelings. All of these factors contribute to how art (and the environment) is experienced.

I am truly encouraged to see how healthcare art programs across the country are addressing this very concept of diverse and shifting perspectives. Some of the most dynamic art programs we've been involved in this year have included multiple elements and interactive opportunities designed to involve and appeal to the many different perspectives of patients, visitors, staff and community members. As a healthcare art consultant, I am excited about the endless possibilities that exist in creating programs that consider multiple viewpoints and I look forward to learning about each client's unique perspective.

Sincerely,

Barbara Harriman, IIDA  

The Art of the Nurse