{"id":37605,"date":"2022-10-29T00:11:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-29T06:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/mercy-hospital-workers-show-off-their-artistic-side\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T02:38:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T08:38:49","slug":"mercy-hospital-workers-show-off-their-artistic-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/mercy-hospital-workers-show-off-their-artistic-side\/","title":{"rendered":"Mercy Hospital workers show off their artistic side"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Brenda
Brenda Macon, executive director of the Durango Arts Center, looks over work by artists and medical workers on Friday that are part of the Mercy Health Care Worker Art Show. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The artistic talents of the Mercy Hospital staff members are on display through Nov. 17 at the Durango Arts Center as part of The Mercy Health Care Worker Art Show.<\/p>\n

The works feature paintings, photographs and sculptures.<\/p>\n

Laura Sherman, a registered nurse at Mercy, came up with the idea for an art exhibit displaying the creativity of medical personnel during a staff meeting with fellow co-workers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started painting during the pandemic just to relieve stress,\u201d Sherman said. \u201cI took a class at the art center, and I found it incredibly healing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\u201cArt
\u201cArt opened up a Third World for me,\u201d said painter Laura Sherman. \u201cIt reminded me of childhood, when outcomes felt lighter. Painting has allowed me healing and connection.\u201d (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Sherman realized her other co-workers had similar interests in art and talked about the pieces they had done while sitting in the meeting.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized we should celebrate our art,\u201d she said. \u201cCelebrate healing through our art from all the trauma we have witnessed, especially over the last couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eighteen of Mercy\u2019s medical staff members contributed to the paintings, sculptures and photographs now on display at the art center. Orthopedist Kim Furry submitted her professional black and white landscape photographs, and ICU RN Annie Vines displayed her watercolor paintings and antler piece. On another wall, RN Annie Taylor revealed her talent for surrealist painting, and RN Kammie Schuhman submitted her intricate quilt work.<\/p>\n

\"Paintings
Paintings of varied styles are on display for the Mercy Health Care Worker Art Show on display in Durango Arts Center gallery. \u201cI realized we should celebrate our art,\u201d said Mercy RN Laura Sherman. \u201cCelebrate healing through our art from all the trauma we have witnessed, especially over the last couple of years.\u201d (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Sherman also submitted two hypnotizing portraits of women, one of a dark-haired woman gazing forward wistfully, and the other of an auburn-haired beauty daring her viewers to keep staring.<\/p>\n

\u201cArt opened up a Third World for me,\u201d writes Sherman in an artist statement below her works. \u201cIt reminded me of childhood, when outcomes felt lighter. Painting has allowed me healing and connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Paintings
Paintings by Annie Taylor and an assemblage by Laurel Beagles are part of the Mercy Health Care Worker Art Show currently on display in Durango Arts Center gallery. \u201cI would love to make it an annual event,\u201d Laura Sherman said. \u201cA lot of people seemed to enjoy it. I guess we\u2019ll have to wait and see.\u201d (Jerry McBride\/The Durango Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Opening night of the art exhibit also saw five of Mercy\u2019s medical personnel showing off their musical skills while playing for the crowd. The performances featured Adri Gething, a 911 dispatcher; Bess Chacon, an RN; Denae Stucka-Benally, a CNA; Dr. Matt Smolin, a cardiologist; and the Gas Station Eyeliner band, featuring members of the Mercy nursing staff and lab.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey all did really well,\u201d Sherman said. \u201cIt was great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Excited by the success of the exhibit, Sherman is looking at the possibility of potential future shows at the Durango Arts Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would love to make it an annual event,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of people seemed to enjoy it. I guess we\u2019ll have to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n

molsen@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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