Healing Art for the Body, Mind and Soul
Published on 09/18/2026
More than 1,100 works of art have helped transform MetroHealth's new Outpatient Health Center into a place of comfort, connection and healing. Shown here is “Spring in Cleveland” by local artist Eileen Dorsey at the Center for Breast Health.
Upon entering MetroHealth's new Outpatient Health Center (OPHC), one thing is especially noticeable: art. Adorning nearly every wall and floor, it helps create a welcoming environment and sense of community for patients, visitors and caregivers.
The new 307,000-square-foot OPHC was designed to enhance the patient experience by bringing nearly all outpatient services on MetroHealth's Main Campus together under one roof. Every aspect of the building, from its convenient layout and coordinated services to its inviting public spaces, was created to reduce stress and make healthcare easier to navigate.
The extensive art collection woven throughout the building is an essential part of that vision.
A Collection Rooted in Hope, Healing and Community
Linda Jackson, Director of MetroHealth's Center for Arts in Health
As the latest installment of MetroHealth's nearly 12-year-old Arts in Health program, the OPHC collection was designed around three themes: hope, healing and community. Every piece was selected with patients, caregivers and Northeast Ohio in mind, said Linda Jackson, Director of MetroHealth's Center for Arts in Health, which is part of the Institute for H.O.P.E.™
"At MetroHealth, we are committed to serving everyone in our community," Linda said. "We want our artwork to have a local focus by reflecting the dynamic makeup of our region and featuring works created primarily by local artists or those with ties to Northeast Ohio."
To bring that vision to life, MetroHealth's Center for Arts in Health partnered with LAND studio to curate, procure and install the Outpatient Health Center's art collection.
The OPHC collection includes more than 1,100 works by 278 artists. Among them are 16 commissioned artists who created site-specific installations designed specifically for the new building.
From murals and paintings to interactive experiences, the OPHC collection reflects MetroHealth's Visual Art Program's purpose to create meaningful experiences for every person who enters the healthcare setting.
“Big Roadrunner,” “When all the Animals Get Together” and “Wildflower Horses” - a set of giclee prints by Melissa Lakey.
On June 13, community members received a first look at both the new Outpatient Health Center and its extensive art collection during a public open house before the building opened to patients. Guests explored featured works throughout the facility while learning how the building's design, services and artwork were thoughtfully integrated to support healing, comfort, connection and well-being.
On the Pediatrics fifth floor, JoAnn and Bob Glick admire “Now We Build” by Cleveland artist Darius Steward.
On July 16, MetroHealth Foundation friends and supporters experienced that vision firsthand during a special behind-the-scenes tour of the OPHC before it opened to patients. Guests explored featured works throughout the building and met several of the artists behind the collection, learning about their creative process and how their work contributes to a more welcoming and healing environment for patients and families.
Creating Spaces for Connection
Artist Grace LaPrade with “Wee Houses” on the Pediatrics fifth floor.
The OPHC collection spans photographs, paintings, murals and even drawings submitted by children who were patients at MetroHealth. Children were among those asked about what they would want in their dream treehouse, the inspiration behind artist Grace LaPrade's mural installation, "Wee Houses."
Their ideas included lights, posters, swings and the reassuring presence of their mothers. Today, those wishes, along with feedback from adult patients and MetroHealth caregivers, are reflected in artwork throughout the OPHC. In Pediatric Medical Care, children can even embark on a ladybug hunt, searching for hidden insects tucked within colorful murals that brighten the space.
Donor Support Brings Art to Life
The collection also reflects the generosity of donors who have helped build MetroHealth's visual arts collection through gifts of art and philanthropic support. Through their contributions, patients and families encounter pieces that inspire connection, spark conversation and offer moments of comfort throughout their care journey.
Among those champions are Karen and Chip Chaikin, longtime MetroHealth supporters who have helped shape MetroHealth's visual arts collection through their philanthropy, expertise and advocacy.
The couple commissioned and donated "Come Unity" (2025) by Washington, D.C.-based artist Halim Flowers. The vibrant work incorporates messages of healing, hope and inclusion that reflect MetroHealth's mission to care for all.
On the right, "Come Unity” by Washington, D.C.-based artist Halim Flowers on the ground floor.
"When you go into an environment that's colorful, healing and bright, it changes how you feel in that moment," said Karen Chaikin, owner of District Gallery in Cleveland's Van Aken District. "It really helps the healing process."
Additional donor-supported works include "Time After Time" (1992) by renowned artist Frederick James Brown, displayed in the fourth-floor waiting area and generously donated by Vic Cohn.
"Unlikely Friends" by Derek Brennan
The collection also includes "Unlikely Friends" (2026) by Cleveland artist Derek Brennan, supported by the ICF Foundation in the ground-floor lab.
Together, these artwork contributions demonstrate how donors are helping shape an environment that supports patients and families in ways that extend beyond clinical care.
Art With Purpose
A large-scale mural “Held in Shared Light” by Cleveland artist Kelle Schwab greets visitors entering from the parking garage.
According to the National Endowment for the Arts, "The arts' benefits for health and well-being are experienced at all stages of life and on multiple levels."
Throughout the OPHC, the artwork reflects the many dimensions of the human experience. Images of music, laughter, friendship and perseverance invite patients, visitors and employees to see themselves, their loved ones and their communities represented on the walls around them.
“The building's floor-to-ceiling windows already connect patients to the outdoors,” Linda said. “That gave us the opportunity to use the artwork to focus on people, relationships and experiences that inspire hope, healing and community.”
As a result, photographs of individuals hang alongside scenes of family gatherings, shared meals and everyday celebrations. Together, they tell stories of resilience, belonging and hope.
In some areas, particularly Pediatric Behavioral Health and Pediatric Therapy, art serves a therapeutic purpose. Visual elements can help children express emotions, build trust and engage more comfortably in their care.
Whether through a child's search for hidden ladybugs, a family's quiet pause beneath a mural or a patient's encounter with a piece that feels familiar, the artwork throughout the OPHC serves a purpose beyond decoration. It reminds patients and families that healing is about more than treatment alone. It is also about finding moments of connection, understanding and hope.
To support Arts in Health, contact Greg Sanders, Vice President of Philanthropy, at gsanders@metrohealth.org or 440‑592‑1319.
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