Launched by Caty Carlin and Connie Schrader of the Asheville Center for Arts and Medicine, the Asheville Arts in Medicine Summit is open to artists, healthcare providers and anyone interested in exploring the transformative power of art. The three-day conference takes place Thursday through Saturday, March 6-8, at the Laurel Forum and Karpen Hall at UNC Asheville.
The purpose of the summit, says Carlin, is to “educate people on how the Asheville Center for AIM can serve Asheville artists, health care workers and institutions.” The event will appeal to a wide range of community members, she says, including local artists, physicians, nurses, therapists, chaplains, caregivers and community development leaders.
Along with local artists and caregivers, the summit will feature presenters from Shands Medical Center in Gainesville Fla., which has one of the largest AIM programs in the country. Carlin will give a lecture about the history of the field. Tina Mullen, director of the Arts in Medicine program at Shands Medical Center, will discuss her experience co-founding the program. Dr. Bruce Kelly from the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville will also present, along with Laura Hope-Gill, a writer and professor currently developing a narrative medicine program at Lenoir-Rhyne University; Rachel Zink from the pediatric AIM program at Memorial Mission Hospital; Joy Javits from Door to Door, an AIM program in Chapel Hill; and Christina Soriano from Wake Forest University. There will also be resources available for artists who would like to contribute to AIM programs, both in institutional and community settings.
Those who register for the event will receive a first-year membership with the Asheville Center for Arts in Medicine, entitling them to monthly webinars with AIM leaders, learning opportunities, a membership directory and reduced rates at future events.
The retreat will begin with a free movie screening on Thursday, March 6 at 7 p.m., and will conclude on Saturday, March 8, at noon. Friday includes an optional vegetarian lunch prepared by Kids at Work, a local youth culinary arts program.
Thursday’s events are free, $35/Friday, $35/Saturday, $50/both days. Free for students. To register, or for further information, visit artsinmedicine.co.
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