Healing power of Taos art

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Original art is found throughout Taos, defining the creative character of our community. And even in our moments of routine health care or urgent medical need, we d the healing power of Taos art.

Holy Cross Hospital on Weimer Road is part of the Taos Health Systems network. In this one-story building patients, visitors and employees enjoy an astounding, unique art collection of 450 pieces. The works represent all mediums — mixed-media, paintings, photography and sculpture.

Most of the works are done by Taos artists, many of whom are still living. Many have achieved prominence in the art market regionally, nationally and internationally.

“The collection started out years ago. People were either expressing their gratitude or paying their bill,” says Mark Russell, former director of development for Taos Health Systems.

In the 1930s, Mabel Dodge Luhan built a hacienda for her son, but his wife was not interested in living in Taos. So Luhan donated the large house to the Town of Taos recognizing the need for a community hospital. She was responsible for bringing the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth to run it.

“The nuns were not great recordkeepers when it came to the artwork,” Russell says. “We do know anecdotally that artists gave out of an expression of gratitude or literally paying their bill. That’s how the collection got started and it’s blossomed.”

The donation of art is not a thing of the past. At the time of this interview, Russell had accepted a donation of signed lithographs. “We’re very fortunate,” he says.

To date, the hospital has not had the resources to properly curate the collection. That would include researching the history of the collection, and optimally hanging the pieces for conservation and viewing.

“Ideally, I’d love to have an advisory committee of artists and art historians from the community who can help us with this,” Russell says.

There also is a hope of integrating the art as a formal part of a therapeutic program.

“We know our patients staying in the hospital get great comfort walking up and down the hallways, stopping and ooking at the art; for families, too. If you have a family member in the hospital for an extended period, it’s great to have something to do instead of walking up and down empty hallways. So in that regard, there is a therapeutic component that I would love to see grow,” Russell says.

He points out that long-term, the art collection could be the genesis of a true art therapy program.

“So that we’re working with children and young adults in the community, and using the art as a means to help them with whatever their therapeutic needs may be. Whether it’s physiological or psychological,” says Russell.

The Holy Cross Hospital art collection — as well as the art found throughout all the satellite oes of the Taos Health Systems — is an incredible asset. Dierent from big city hospitals and institutions, executives didn’t buy art to further the value of a “portfolio of investments.”

Like the best things in Taos, the art collection just grew organically.

“We have not paid for any of it. So that’s what makes it unique. Other organizations deliberately go out and buy art for investment purposes. This is just so Taos. Especially the bill-paying part. Instead of chickens, we’ve got paintings,” Russell says.

The Holy Cross Hospital Foundation, which manages the art collection, is a nonprofit organization. All donors complete and receive a donation form for their tax records.

In the past few years, Holy Cross Hospital had the collection appraised by Julia McTague from Questa. McTague is an accredited senior appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers (mctagueappraiers.com).

As a local, McTague has long been familiar with the art collection, even when it was located in the old hospital. “In its present location the halls are open and well-lit, giving the collection maximum exposure. It’s a finee show of work,” she says.She was pleased to be hired to appraise the collection. She had experience appraising several other historic collections in Taos available for public viewing.“

And the hospital collection — in terms of artists, content, period and quality — continues in this tradition of Taos and New Mexican arts,” McTague says.

The appraisal was prepared in the fall of 2009 with 424 works. The project was completed in three months. An update to the original report was prepared in 2013 with the addition of 36 works.An appraisal is the process of developing an opinion of value, competently, in a manner that is impartial, independent and objective. Each appraisal is unique.

“The Holy Cross Hospital Collection is an ambitious body of work, numbering several hundred pieces. Hanging the collection is a challenge, but there is always room for more. Gifts to the collection benet donor and viewer alike, and strengthen the cultural and creative energy of the community,” McTague says.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Taos Society of Artists. Mabel Dodge Luhan had a close association with the society members, and that had an ongoing impact to the broader community.

“Sharing and showing art didn’t just stay among these small groups of artists. It really became infectious to the entire community,” says Russell. “They created a lasting legacy that continues to this day, which is why we celebrate them 100 years later. We’re still the benefactors of their generosity, their talent and their investment in this community.”

Indeed, today’s living local artists continue to showcase Taos on a national and international scale. Taos, too, is an international town. People visit here from all over the world to enjoy our culture, history, outdoor activities and natural environment.“

Sometimes people on vacation — like hikers, bikers and skiers — end up here as patients. They see the art,” says Russell.

Whether a native-born Taoseño or a visitor, everyone experiences the quality of the artwork — making the Holy Cross Hospital art collection a true Taos treasure.