Diane Brown was scared. She was lying on her back in a colorless hospital room being readied for a CAT scan. Her only escape was her imagination. Brown began to envision what she knew could bring her comfort—a painting by contemporary artist Matthew Ritchie going up the wall and across the ceiling. “I became completely involved in it, and when the procedure was over, I felt like I hadn’t even been there. The experience was so strong I immediately wanted to do this for other people.”
So with newfound inspiration, the 52-year-old former gallery owner set out to make her vision reality. Even though she had what she refers to as “the best job in the art world” curating an extensive private collection, this idea possessed her. “As you get older, you start to look at your life and assess whether you made any difference,” she says. “Plus, you want to stay challenged.”
Brown thought about it this way: A hospital is a blank canvas. Sure, it needs to be sterile in practical terms. But it doesn’t need to be bare and lifeless. In fact, as Brown researched the topic, she found studies about how viewing art can actually promote healing—by encouraging relaxation, decreasing pain perception, humanizing surroundings, and even boosting immunity. But Brown didn’t just want to hang landscapes in waiting rooms. “I wanted to display excellent, original contemporary art that was challenging in a positive way,” she explains. “I didn’t want to put up wallpaper.”
Rockefeller University Hospital in New York gave her a chance. In the 8 years since then, her nonprofit organization, which she dubbed RxArt, has completed 14 projects, including ones at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, and Children’s Hospital Boston. True to her dream, Brown raises money (from $25,000 to $250,000) for each project, buys one-of-a-kind works from the artists, and then installs them at no cost to the hospital on a “long-term-loan basis.” The art is not for sale, and she estimates that half a million patients, visitors, and staffers view it annually. Although most of her money comes from donors, RxArt runs an art store on its website (www.rxart.net) and also sells a $20, 112-page coloring book called “Between the Lines” that features original drawings from 55 artists.
Brown says there are many sterile (and even scary) places in the world that could benefit from a little color—whether it’s an abandoned lot in your neighborhood that could become a community garden or a gray city wall that could benefit from a creative mural. The magic is to broaden the concept of art to include anything that makes someone stop, think, and smile for a moment. (Imagine that!)
“I can’t believe how lucky I am to do this,” she says. “It’s the most feel-good thing in the world. Everybody wins.”
Comments from Members
Wow, what a wonderful idea, and GREAT follow-through, as well. Keep it up!
What a great idea, I hate being in the hospital and staring at white walls. WELL DONE
Way to go, Diane!! Art changes lives. Your vision and project are amazing - what an inspired idea!
I would like to use the brushes for a small project that I have thank you darnise M White
These would be great for the day to week touch ups. My kids are crazy!
I love this idea - the arts are so important to our well-being and it's always exciting to hear that fact being recognized by institutions and the general public at large.
I have always had a great need to work with pre-teens. The one thing all can relate to is art.I take it a bit further and keep it enviromental.So now it is birdhouses !
I think this is wonderful and very inspiring.
My son is a patient at St. Jude's in Memphis. The wonderful art they have throught the hospital buildings really does make a big difference. It makes it feel a little less like a hospital and a lot more cheerful. Every time we go back for checkups we find something new to look at. Thank you for your vision and the joy it has brough to us and countless other children/parents.
This is a great idea and so important for people to be able to see. When my son was in the hospital as a baby, the young nurses in the hospital he was in painted Disney Characters on the walls for the kids to see in the children's ward. You could see the smiles on the children's faces as they came in contact with all of the pictures!
Marvelous work! The art at Children's Hospital in Boston is uplifting and makes long days easier to bear. Thank you for your keen insight and compassion!
I think that its a wonderful idea. I too have been to the chilrens hospital with my two children and seeing painting of disney characters always brightens their day.
ALOHA I THINK THE COLORS ARE GREAT AND VERY COOL.YOU HAVE GREAT IDEAS . I LOVES IT.
HAVE A GOOD DAY.ALOHA AND MAHALO CAROLE
Bravo Ms. Brown for changing and uplifting lives with her program! How brave and wonderful she is to take on a new career that has helped so many. As she said, even if it's with just a smile. :)
Bravo Dianne Brown! Bringing it home, we painted the entire outside of our house with bold colors - sunny yellow with royal purple & red pepper trim back in 2003. Never been another house like it that we've seen, and we get compliments from creative, forward-thinking people all the time! We will NEVER understand the fear people have with bright colors - Bravo Paint! 
No Fear!
Fantastic! I applaud you Diane, for the wonderful vision you possess and the generousity you have to share it!
I think it's a GREAT idea to add some color in this way. When our loved ones are in hospitals or in homes for the elderly instead of being in a white room with no personality, adding color can make you feel a little more at ease and safe. Thank you so much for putting color back in peoples hearts.
What a great idea, not just for children, but for adults as well. Colors and beauty of nature all play their part in the healing process. Keep up the good work, Diane!
there's been studies done that show that positive thoughts and attitudes improve health. This is a great way to do it!
i love it!! thats a great idea you have!!
Having artwork in the hospitals is a great idea, it makes everyone inspired to get well a lot faster.
after having been a patient in the hospital and staying overnight in the hospital with my daughter, a cheery atmosphere can really do wonders. She is so right and I hope she continues to stay inspired.
She is way right. We have done this with our office to and it seems to make the day go a little easier and a little faster. So I can see how it does help the patients to relax. They should do this withe dentists to because there scarier than drs offices sometimes.
very nice idea
