Location
Sydnor Performance Hall, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Printed poster
Entry Number
35
Start Date
4-16-2026 2:15 PM
End Date
4-16-2026 2:30 PM
School
School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department
Bonner
Keywords
Art, Aesthetic Appreciation, Aesthetic Responsiveness, Creative Behavior, Free Clinic, Fundraising, Health Equity, Patients
Abstract
The Free Clinic of Central Virginia serves uninsured and underserved individuals by providing comprehensive medical care regardless of ability to pay; however, true access to healthcare extends beyond clinical services to include social and emotional well-being. To support this mission, we organized a community art exhibit fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting clinic operations and initiatives that offer patients artistic outlets for emotional expression and stress reduction. Art-based engagement has been shown to promote mental health, strengthen coping strategies, and foster community, especially important for individuals facing financial and healthcare instability. This project aimed to generate funding, increase awareness of healthcare inequities in Central Virginia, and create opportunities for creative expression. Through coordinated planning and strengthening community partnerships, the fundraiser demonstrated how collaboration can bridge healthcare and the arts, highlighting the value of integrating creative approaches into preventative care in a free clinic setting.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Tasha Gillum
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Service Learning & Civic Engagement
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Creating a Connection Between Art and the Free Clinic of Central Virginia
Sydnor Performance Hall, Schewel Hall
The Free Clinic of Central Virginia serves uninsured and underserved individuals by providing comprehensive medical care regardless of ability to pay; however, true access to healthcare extends beyond clinical services to include social and emotional well-being. To support this mission, we organized a community art exhibit fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting clinic operations and initiatives that offer patients artistic outlets for emotional expression and stress reduction. Art-based engagement has been shown to promote mental health, strengthen coping strategies, and foster community, especially important for individuals facing financial and healthcare instability. This project aimed to generate funding, increase awareness of healthcare inequities in Central Virginia, and create opportunities for creative expression. Through coordinated planning and strengthening community partnerships, the fundraiser demonstrated how collaboration can bridge healthcare and the arts, highlighting the value of integrating creative approaches into preventative care in a free clinic setting.