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Symphony-inspired artwork finds new home at the North Bay Regional Health Centre

“Our audience thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience of watching such vivid colours and imagery bring the 8 foot by 8 foot silk screen to life on stage as the NBSO performed,”
NBSO art donation Carol Jodouin, Paul Heinrich, Tammy Morison 2016
Left to right, Carol Jodouin, NBSO President, Paul Heinrich, NBRHC President, Tammy Morison, NBRHC Foundation President.

Artist Holly Carr’s “Inspired by Elgar’s Enigma Variations” silk painting is now on display at its permanent home, the North Bay Regional Health Centre.  On February 21, 2016, Holly joined the North Bay Symphony on stage at the Capitol Centre and created this original work of art as the NBSO performed Elgar’s Enigma Variations during the matinee concert titled “Inspirations”.

“Our audience thoroughly enjoyed the unique experience of watching such vivid colours and imagery bring the 8 foot by 8-foot silk screen to life on stage as the NBSO performed,” stated NBSO President Carol Jodouin.  “We are thrilled that the whole community is now able to see this vibrant silk painting anytime, and we hope it will continue to inspire patients and their family members as well as the staff and volunteers at the Health Centre.”

Nova Scotia artist Holly Carr has gained national acclaim for her unique style of silk painting and public installations.  Her work has been exhibited throughout Canada.  In recent years she has branched out to performance art working with numerous musicians and performers including a cross-Canada tour with Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Café, violinist Min Lee in Singapore, and similar live silkscreen paintings with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Winnipeg Symphony, Symphony Nova Scotia, Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, and this piece with the NBSO.

The community selected the home for the artwork through the NBSO Facebook page.  First by providing suggestions, and then by voting for their favourite location from a shortlist of the suggested organizations who were able to display and care for the piece.

“The benefits of this donation to NBRHC’s art collection go far beyond enhancing the health centre’s physical environment,” says Paul Heinrich, President & CEO, NBRHC. “Studies show that visual art can help to improve the well-being of patients, visitors, and staff by reducing stress and anxiety, providing inspiration and solace and promoting healing. We are delighted that our community chose the Health Centre as the home for this installation.”

NBSO is partnering again with the NBRHC this December by inviting and encouraging audience members to bring a donation of new Child, Youth, or Adult pajamas with them to our holiday performances to support patients in care, or who have arrived in crisis, at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.  Holiday performances take place at the Capitol Centre on Saturday, December 10.  The one-hour “Family Christmas Matinee” at 1:00pm and the two-hour “Christmas Dreams” at 7:30pm.  More information can be found at www.northbaysymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 705.474.4747.