ART ON DISPLAY … Artist Keith Grindall from Montpelier stands with several pieces of his for sale during the Artisan Gala at the Bryan Hospital. Keith has been doing artwork for 20 years, and has been totally self-taught.

---

By: Jeremy Scott

The First Annual Artisan Gala, held at the Bryan Hospital on January 25th was a rousing success. 150 people attended the $100 a plate gala to help support the arts in the community.
As you drive through Bryan, you can’t help but to notice the Bryan Hospital.

The green and orange façade has always been a source of discussion in the town. Whether you like the building or not, you have to admit it is an architectural work of art.

The art doesn’t stop on the outside though. During renovations in 2009 the hospital began to purchase art for the building. Currently inside the hospital are over 330 pieces of art from over 120 artists that are either local, or have ties to Northwest Ohio.

Drawings, paintings, sculptures, glass work, and other media can be found throughout the hospital, adding beauty to a place that is usually connected with feelings of trepidation and unease.
The Artisan Gala, was instituted to raise funds for the CHWC Artisan Collection. The formal event featured dinner by Sweetwater Chophouse. There were also hors d’oeuvres and wine before the dinner.

CHWC President and CEO Chad Tinkel presented the State of The Hospital Presentation during the event. After dinner, Black Swamp Art Guild led the attendees through a tour showcasing some of the works of art currently in the Artisan Collection.

Also, during the event, artwork was available for purchase from twenty different members of the Black Swamp Art Guild. Art could be kept, or donated to the Artisan Collection. Works ranged from $50 up to $45,000.

Donations are always appreciated, as well as artwork for the collection. If you have artwork that you would like to be considered for the Artisan Collection you can contact Brenda Hofbauer, chwcartcurator@gmail.com. To view some of the art in the collection, you can visit www.chwchospital.org/artisan-collection.

Jeremy can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com