Elaine Poggi is a photographer and founder of the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals and one of our “World Changers”. The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, Inc., was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the United States in November 2002. The unique mission of the Foundation is “to place large, framed photographs of nature and beautiful places from around the world in hospitals to give comfort and hope to patients and their families, visitors, and caregivers. Studies show that nature art has a beneficial effect on relieving a patient’s stress and anxiety. The photographs are intended to provide color and an atmosphere of compassion where healing is encouraged.”
You can read a previous article about Elaine Poggi “Photographic Art in Hospitals Aids The Healing Process”.
In this interview Elaine highlights some of the Foundation’s many contributions, recent progress, and future plans. Photographers and charitable individuals can learn how they can participate in bringing positive change to the world through the outstanding contributions made by Elaine and the Foundation.
RP: Elaine, how did your parents influence you in becoming an artist with a sense of purpose and bringing positive change to the world?
EP: My parents gave me an appreciation of nature. Growing up on a farm in Southern Illinois, my playmates were our dogs and cats, chickens, steers, and pigs. I drove the tractor at a very young age, helping my father with the corn, wheat, and soy bean harvest. The beauty of the rolling fields of grain was my first experience with landscape art which I love to photograph today.
RP: What has been the most remarkable achievement of The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, Inc. to date?
EP: Our most remarkable achievement to date is that in these past 18 years we have placed more than 8000 nature photos of our more than 365 Contributing Photographers in over 400 healthcare facilities, on all 7 continents!
RP: What is your proudest achievement in 2020?
EP: The inauguration of our more than 50 photos at the Siteman Cancer Center West County in St. Louis, Missouri in February was very emotional for me. The project was in honor of my dear friend, Dr. Jerry Levy, who had been a Board Member since the very beginning of the Foundation. He had passed away 6 months earlier and had been treated at this Cancer Center.
RP: What is your priority goal for 2021?
EP: My goal for 2021 is to place as many photos in as many hospitals as possible around the world.
RP: How many venues and continents have you placed healing photo art? Please name 4-5 hospitals and locations.
EP: Just in these past months I have sent photos to First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui, China; Terada Allergy Kodomo Clinic in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan (plus three other hospitals in Japan); Coonamble Hospital in Coonamble Australia; Maimonides Childrens Hospital in Brooklyn NY; Moeller Cancer Center, OSF Healthcare in Alton, Illinois; Coping with Cancer in Cramlington, England.
RP: What is the total number of photographs you have placed throughout the world?
EP: More than 8,000 nature photos.
RP: I read that you have delved into doing research studies about the impact of art and specific types of art on patients. Would you please describe those studies and what did those studies reveal?
EP: The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals relies on the most current research and evidence-based design to develop its projects. We have participated in research studies in Italy and the USA. The largest study, “Beyond traditional treatment… establishing art as therapy,” was conducted in collaboration with the Italian Oncology Group of Clinical Research (GOIRC), coordinated by Prof. Francesco Di Costanzo, director of the Oncology Department of Careggi Hospital in Florence, Italy.
Three cancer centers in Italy – Ancona, Perugia, and Messina – participated in the research. 345 patients from these centers were tested on their perception of the hospital environment before and after the display of Elaine’s nature photos in the treatment rooms of their Cancer Centers. The project was sponsored by Eli Lilly.
Results show that the great majority of patients prefer art on the walls of hospitals, instead of white, sterile walls. The art preferred, in order of preference:
1. Nature landscapes (most popular)
2. Animals
3. Scenes of everyday life
4. Portraits
5. Urban landscapes
6. Abstract (least popular)
The control group’s fiducia (trust or hope) decreased from viewing only white, sterile walls, whereas the experimental group who viewed nature photos for several months, had an increase in fiducia.
RP: How did that study influence the criteria you use for selecting art for a hospital?
EP: I was already convinced from spending time in the hospital with my mother, that nature art is the most effective for creating a hopeful, comforting environment in hospitals.
RP: How many photography-based artists are currently enrolled in your program?
EP: At the moment there are 365 Contributing Photographers.
RP: If photographers want to participate in the Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals and what criteria should artists know before contacting you?
EP: Check out our Contributing Photographer’s Program on our website.
RP: Do the artists donate the actual printed photographs, or do you accept digital files?
EP: Only high resolution digital files.
RP: I understand you have no paid staff so maintaining your Foundation must be financially challenging. How can anyone help to support your foundation?
EP: We are able to send many photos to many hospitals because we keep our costs down as much as possible. We appreciate any amount of donations which can be made through our website.
RP: You have earned the distinction of being one of The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS World Changers. I am also currently working on an ebook about artists as world changers. With that in mind, how would you like to be known now and in perpetuity?
EP: After the loss of my mother, I was able to turn sadness into a beautiful idea… an idea that is bringing light and color to hospitals around the world. I love what I do!
RP: Any advice for someone who wants to make a positive difference by placing art in public venues but doesn’t know where to start?
EP: It’s a good idea to talk to someone you personally know in the public venue. Probably funding is the biggest hurdle to overcome.
RP: What is one of the many favorable comments or testimonials you have received by staff or patients?
EP: We have 239 reviews from patients and their families, hospital staff, contributing photographers, and interns on which tell the story of our work!
Visit The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals website healingphotoart.org
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