UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine

09/22/2025

It was an opening reception to remember! Thank you to all who made the reception and exhibit such a success 🧡 Here's to the next 35 years of arts in health at UF Health Shands!

09/22/2025

Ekphrasis, or “to point out” in Greek, is a literary device used to describe a visual work of art in vivid detail 👁️🖼️

The practice encourages presence in the current moment, which promotes short and long term benefits to emotional and physical health 🩺🫶

To further honor the artworks that were on display for Continuum, Arts in Medicine’s most recent art exhibit at GFAA, AIM hosted a workshop in ekphrastic poetry, called “Call & Response: An Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop”.

With guidance and facilitation by AIM director Dr. Jenny Bailey Lee,
📖 Participants first read examples of ekphrastic poetry to understand the literary device.
🚶 Then, the group walked through the exhibit, selecting 2-3 artworks that spoke to them.
✍️ After time to walk the exhibit, participants began writing their poems with references to poetic structures on hand, and Dr. Lee nearby, in case they were in need of input or direction.

To conclude the practice, the group then, bravely and optionally, read their poems out loud! 👏

Special thanks to GFAA for their partnership on Continuum and Call & Response.

09/18/2025

Are you a poet, and perhaps didn't know it? 😉

TOMORROW, Arts in Medicine is hosting a poetry and creative writing workshop from 2-4PM at GFAA! ✍🎨

Don't let the term "ekphrastic" fool you--this workshop is introductory and open to adults ages 18+ with any and all levels of writing/arts experience. Beginner friendly!

Registration is required and spots are limited.
Save your seat using the link below:
https://artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/2025/09/11/call-response-workshop/

09/18/2025

Last chance!🔔

Continuum: Collective Works from Arts in Medicine is our art exhibit and collaboration with GFAA. The exhibit features artworks made by current and former UF Health patients, staff, and Gainesville community members who have harnesses the power of the arts for their health and well-being.

Continuum also celebrates 35 years of arts in health programming for patients, care partners, and staff at UF Health 🧡

The exhibit is on display for just two more days: Thursday, September 18th, and Friday, September 19th, from 11am-4pm at GFAA Gallery (1314 S Main St)

Can't make it to the gallery in person?
Check out our website to view the digital exhibit, including video and audio featured in the show: https://artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/design-aesthetics/exhibits/continuum-collective-works-from-arts-in-medicine/

🖼️: Grow Hub Artist Collective, Iris Coe-Gross, Betsy Fisher and Ricky Kendall, Tracey Hensley

09/17/2025

Join us for our annual Night of Dance celebration — including yoga!

📅 Saturday, September 20, 2025
⏰ 4:30–6:30 p.m.
📍 2401 SW Archer Road

Bring a yoga mat and water, and enjoy an evening filled with food, music, dance, and movement. Connect with local organizations to learn more about the social and medical resources available in your community.

Hope to see you there!

09/17/2025

One utensil forever… Spoon or fork?🍴

Hear poll questions like this, and the answers from UF Health staff, on today’s episode of Shift Change Radio Hour! 📻

Our team got to interview the fabulous Dietary Services team here at UF Health, learn about their famous music playlist, and much more 🥖🍗🥞🍓🥦

Experience the episode for yourself by listening in today from 6-7PM on WMBT 90.1 FM, or online at www.wmbt901.com

Hear all Shift Change Radio Hour past episodes on our website: artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/shiftchange

09/16/2025

If you've ever passed by the Nutrition Services kitchen and bakery located in the UF Health Shands Children's Hospital, you've probably heard the staff's high-energy music playlist featuring songs that uplift and set a positive tone 🎶🧡

The AIM Shift Change Radio Hour team stopped by last week to get the inside scoop on the famous playlist after some fun interviews about *cook*ing 😉
Listen in tomorrow, 9/17, for the juicy details! 🌭🍦🍕🍊

Ways to listen:
✨ On the radio, Wednesdays from 6-7am and 6-7pm on The Wombat: WMBT 90.1 FM
💻 Online at www.wmbt901.com during the play times listed above
🎧 On the AIM website (anytime): https://artsinmedicine.ufhealth.org/past-episodes/

09/16/2025

UF Health Shands AIM's own Evaluation and Research Specialist, Cassandra Belden, will be featured in a panel during this webinar, among other UF Center for Arts in Medicine faculty and staff!

Learn more in the post below:

🎨 Reminder! Want to learn how the arts are transforming health and wellbeing?

Join the UF Center for Arts in Medicine for a free virtual webinar introducing the field of Arts in Health—where creativity meets care.

💡 Hear from faculty and researchers
📈 Learn how the arts impact health outcomes
🏥 Explore real-world programs in healthcare and communities
🎓 Discover how to get started in this growing field

Open to all—artists, students, healthcare and public health professionals, and anyone curious!

🔗 Register now: https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dXGdNS4TRRCbtxsLIk8yxw #/registration

UF College of the Arts, UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine

09/16/2025

A very happy team member with the mask she made with UF Shands Arts in Medicine! You can admire and purchase staff made art in our on-site gift shop /Art Hub.💚 It’s open whenever Grow Hub is open!

🕐 We’re Open Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 1 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM!🌱

Image Description:
Grow Hub team member smiling and holding a yellow animal mask. A tree and ramp are behind her.

09/15/2025

ATTN comic creators in the Gainesville and surrounding areas!

Submissions are OPEN until October 1 for our next Word of Mouth Art Show + Social on November 7, 2025 at the Sequential Artist Workshop!

We are looking for COMPLETED work for our LIVE and IN-PERSON comics readings, art presentation, and video show in the SAW Studio! Artists will have the opportunity to present recent work that encompasses visual storytelling to a live audience PLUS have the bonus of networking with other local creators.

We hope you join us for a night full of creativity, laughs, and community! Please submit by October 1 and reach out to us if you have any questions! Find all the information you need in the submission form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScE3cnSEHgBrVgu4ZDLmZgobPtk6yfu4pNMw2pQnx40F0fBug/viewform?usp=send_form

09/15/2025

This episode of our podcast, ‘When Science Finds a Way’, explores how creativity might play a role in supporting mental health. Host Alisha Wainwright speaks...

09/15/2025

Created during their visual art workshops with Arts in Medicine, these vibrant stepping stones would add color and whimsy to any yard, garden, or patio! 🎨
Check them out at GROW HUB during their business hours, where your purchase will support the Grow Hub Artist Collective 💚