Setting out to enhance and beautify the healing environment of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital for its patients, families and staff, a group of dedicated individuals have created a healing arts program that has grown and blossomed into ongoing installations and exhibitions from the community’s local artists.

The Healing Arts Committee selects pieces from local artists, building a pathway for USC Verdugo Hills Hospital to strengthen its community relationships while exhibiting images of beauty, harmony, health and hope for patients and their families. Scenes of open, park-like landscapes, waterscapes with calm waters, floral images, smiling people and bits of nature with gentle wildlife images can be seen. Studies over the past 20 years have consistently revealed that positive, light-filled images of nature and familiar scenery support decreased levels of stress and anxiety, distract from pain/illness, and contribute to patients’ satisfaction with care.

Beginning in March, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital featured the work of painters Frank Lennartz and Linda DuPas.

Lennartz grew up in La Crescenta where he derived much of his inspiration. His art education began with his mother, Margot Lennartz, who taught oil painting for many years in the Glendale-Pasadena area. Lennartz also became a devoted art student of southwest impressionists Ted Goerschner and Kevin Macpherson. Most notable shows and exhibitions include the Oil Painters of America’s (OPA) national and regional exhibitions, the Carnegie Art Museum, the California Art Club (CAC) juried Gold Medal Exhibitions, the Weisman Museum exhibitions and the CAC’s art gallery at The Old Mill. Lennartz also received the prestigious Director’s Choice Award by the Carnegie Art Museum where his painting is now part of its permanent collection. He also enjoys teaching and mentoring artists in his Friday morning oil/acrylic painting classes at the BMAI Art Institute in Montrose and in Agoura Hills.

DuPas was born in Wisconsin but has been a resident of California since 1982.  She loves the beauty and diversity of the California landscape and has been a professional artist since 1995. Much of her art education was at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and she has also studied extensively with several professional master artists. She has developed a loyal following and her paintings are in several private and corporate collections in the United States and Europe. DuPas is influenced by the style and tradition of the Early California Impressionists. She is a professional artist member of the California Art Club and a member of the Oil Painters of America.

An opening reception for Frank Lennartz and Linda Du Pas is planned for Thursday evening, April 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the hospital’s council room, 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale 91208. The exhibit runs from through May.

Those who wish to attend can contact the Foundation Office at (818) 952-3543 or email Barbara Jordan at Barbara.Jordan@vhh.usc.edu. Attendance is free!

Submitted by
Tina Marie ITO