Nashville General Hospital Foundation Receives a $4,000 Grant from M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation to Launch a Bedside Art Therapy Program at Nashville General Hospital.

Nashville, TN, October 31, 2024 — Nashville General Hospital Foundation is excited to announce the launch of its new bedside art therapy program, made possible by a $4,000 grant from the M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation. Since its inception in late September, the program has brought comfort and creative expression to over 50 patients. The grant has enabled the purchase of a mobile art therapy cart fully stocked with supplies for sketching, painting, coloring, and various craft projects. This cart allows patients to engage in therapeutic activities from their bedsides.

This program extends the hospital’s thriving art collection, welcoming everyone who walks through Nashville General’s doors with artwork that comforts and inspires. At Nashville General Hospital, art is more than decoration; it is a vital part of our healing environment, enriching the experience of patients, families, and staff. We hope to one day expand the collection with pieces from this bedside art therapy program as an additional source of solace and beauty in the hospital environment.

"This program is a beautiful example of how art can bring comfort, connection, and joy to our patients,” said Jennifer Balog, Chief Development Officer of Nashville General Hospital. “With the generous support from the M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation, we can expand our art initiatives to impact our patients’ healing process directly. Art therapy has proven benefits for pain relief and anxiety reduction, and we’re excited to see the positive outcomes it brings.”

Local artists and volunteers lead the bedside sessions, helping patients experience the therapeutic benefits of creative expression. Ashlyn, a volunteer with the program, shared, “Seeing the joy and peace that even a small creative activity can bring to someone’s day is incredible. Patients open and share their stories through art, and it’s deeply moving to be part of their journey.”

Susan Ney, with Truxton, Trustee of the M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation, highlighted the program’s impact, stating, “The M. Stratton Foster Charitable Foundation is proud to support Nashville General Hospital Foundation and its innovative art therapy program and the Foundation’s Committee on Beneficiaries is glad to see it already making a difference in patients’ lives.”

Local volunteer Ashlyn brings joy and creativity to patients at the bedside through the Art Therapy program.

With the Foundation’s support and the dedication of local volunteer artists, Nashville General Hospital’s bedside art therapy program will continue to expand, reinforcing art’s role in providing comfort, inspiration, and therapeutic benefits to all who come through its doors.