Many artists have shared strong, even famous friendships: Van Gogh and Gauguin, Degas and Cassatt, Cezanne and Pissarro. Their relationships led artists to collaborate with and draw inspiration from their peers.
These artists, their relationships and the ways their works complemented one another’s were the focus of Lessons from the Impressionists, a class designed specifically for and attended by Houston Methodist physicians.
Houston Methodist’s Center for Performing Arts Medicine (CPAM) and Office of Provider Engagement and Resilience partnered to create a unique art experience for nominated physicians. Lessons from the Impressionists featured a guided tour and art-making activity with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Many physicians experience high stress levels, and CPAM wants to change that through the arts. Engaging creatively with the arts encourages self-discovery, new skills and reflection, so CPAM has developed a continuum of employee arts enrichment programming that ranges from opt-in creative arts enrichment experiences (such as classes or museum visits) to staff-support initiatives. Lessons from the Impressionists, like other CPAM-led programs, created a unique, inviting environment in which physicians could explore their relationships with the arts, their work and one another.
During the art-filled evening, Houston Methodist physicians engaged with colleagues and showcased their own creativity. They learned about the complementary nature of several pieces of art, which were sometimes inspired by the artists’ relationships. The physicians reflected on the similarities between the arts and their own specialties, especially the way different specialties work in tandem. After a private exhibition tour, they participated in an art-making workshop in the museum’s studio space.
“The evening was well-received,” said Physicians’ Organization president Stephanie Jones-Wood. “We are excited to curate more experiences with the CPAM team to build comradery and meaning in work for physicians at Houston Methodist.”
