UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — "Impressionism and the Art of Medical Communication," will be on display from March 11-21 in the Borland Project Space. This exhibition presents the work of students from the course “Impressionism and the Art of Medical Communication,” a Penn State College of Medicine course co-taught by Dr. Michael Flanagan in the Department of Art History and the College of Medicine.
In the course, Impressionism and active painting are used as teaching and learning tools for effective medical communication. On view in the exhibition are student works created during painting exercises exploring acrylic painting techniques, communication styles and personal expression.
As the first medical school in the country to have a dedicated Department of Humanities, Penn State’s College of Medicine is nationally known for promoting the integration of the arts and humanities into its curriculum. Fourth-year medical students from the University Park campus may undertake an elective in which a study of the Impressionist movement is used as a basis for teaching effective medical communication.
Topics studied include the use of “structure and space” within patient interactions and by the Impressionist artists; the “art of observation” by physicians and by artists; and “cognitive bias” in patient care and art appreciation. During the month-long course, students complete five paintings as a way to experience first-hand how to better communicate through art, and by extension, with their patients.
A public reception will be held 5-6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12.
About the Borland Project Space
The Borland Project Space seeks to showcase vivacious research culture of Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture. With this notion we move beyond traditional exhibitions, performances, and scholarly programming to expose the processes and procedures of “arts research,” which viewers seldom see. Home to several residences and projects throughout the academic year, the space is open for visitors from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, throughout the academic year. For additional information on current and upcoming events, please visit our website, borlandprojectspace.psu.edu.