On Tuesday, April 27th, two longtime supporters of the arts in Cuyahoga Falls were honored with awards from Collide: Cuyahoga Falls. The award celebrated their contributions to the local arts community over the last year, a year in which many turned to art for comfort and healing during the pandemic. Awardees were recognized for their hard work and dedication, and included local artist Jessica Loftus and continuing supporter of arts and culture in Cuyahoga Falls, Western Reserve Hospital.
Loftus, who was pivotal in Collide’s Prism Project in 2019, as well as curator for multiple art installations at City Hall and Western Reserve Hospital. She continues to be a significant contributor to arts in Cuyahoga Falls, helping with community events like art workshops at Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Collide’s yearly fundraiser, and consulting on such projects as the recently installed vinyl art wraps for the downtown planters and last summer’s “Chalk It Up!” exhibits. Loftus’ most recent project was curating hospital art that allowed artists to showcase their work at a time when COVID-19 has presented barriers for them to do so otherwise.
For Western Reserve Hospital, in addition to sponsoring community projects and events, art continues to provide peace for many patients. “We know patients, family, and staff find peace, joy, and healing in the art,” explains Kathy Romito, community relations manager. “Hospital visits are often very stressful and cause anxiety for patients and the art allows a few minutes for them to engage in something beautiful.” Currently the community art wall near the main lobby of the hospital hosts curated art which rotates monthly, as well as in the physical therapy and infusion departments and outside New Choice pharmacy. Most of the art, according to Romito, is available to buy, with sales supporting the artists. The hospital also honors collaborating artists yearly during an “Artist Appreciation Dinner” and “Art After Dark,” which is held in the courtyard.
Both Loftus and Romito, on behalf of Western Reserve Hospital, received an award created by local artist Thomas Sullivan, which were created specifically for Collide’s ceremony.
For more information about Collide: Cuyahoga Falls, visit: https://www.facebook.com/CollideCF/.
STAFF NOTE: This article’s author is a relative of Mr. Sullivan.
