Community News
Linking the minds of art and physiotherapy students
By: Jocelyn Adams, Communications & Special Projects Assistant
Together, two local universities bring an unusual twist for art and physiotherapy students. The 2015 Visual Art Legacy project is a pilot collaboration between the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design’s Foundation Studies program and Dalhousie’s MSc Physiotherapy program. Students from each university will work together to develop pieces of art depicting the concept of motion. The current plan is to later showcase the art during the Canadian Physiotherapy Association’s 2015 Congress (June 18-21, 2015 in Halifax, NS) and the School of Physiotherapy’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations (Oct 2-5, 2015).
The idea of a student interprofessional art and health collaboration has been brewing for many years.
“In 2004 when the concept of interprofessional health education was first promoted by our Dean, Will Webster, I remember thinking ‘why stop at health professions?’ Years later, while planning the 2015 Anniversary, I attended a meeting at the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF) offices. On their walls I saw the results of their juried visual art competition held as part of the NSHRF’s 10th anniversary. At that moment the ideas of a student interprofessional health and art collaboration and the desire to introduce art in the Physiotherapy School came together in my mind as the 2015 Visual Art Legacy project,” said Dr. Anne Fenety, Director of the School of Physiotherapy.
The project launched following a partnership between Barbara Lounder and Rebecca Hannon, faculty members of NSCAD’s Division of Foundation Studies program and Cheryle Kelm, professor at the School of Physiotherapy.
“I’m really looking forward to working with colleagues and students from the Dalhousie’s School of Physiotherapy and NSCAD’s University Foundation Studies Division this year. Motion, time, and the connections between body and mind are subjects that preoccupy many artists. The interdisciplinary exchange afforded by this project will undoubtedly generate lots of interesting insights for all of us,” said Lounder, Professor in the Foundation (first year) program at NSCAD.
Beyond the walls of NSCAD, Barbara Lounder works on engaging members of the public in carefully designed walking activities.
“My own artwork has been centred on the activity and accouterments of walking, and I will be teaching a 7-week course on Walking and Art at NSCAD this fall,” said Lounder.
Chair of NSCAD’s Foundations Studies, and Assistant Professor Rebecca Hannon is eager to begin the collaboration.
“It’s an amazing, horizon-expanding opportunity for all of our students. Students will have the chance to meet others in a different field, and work together to create a unique piece. Collaboration is key to success in the "real world" so I am excited that students will have this opportunity while they are studying,” said Hannon.
Above: NSCAD's Foundation Studies students (Photo credit: NSCAD University)
Professor Cheryle Kelm adds, "Movement and physical function is greatly affected, either permanently or temporarily, when cardiopulmonary or disfunction alters physical structures in the body and its all important oxegenated status. The emotions around the primary symptoms and the broader implications of the imposed activity compromises make a big hit on people's self-image and quality of life. It's those aspect that I'm hoping our students will also consider. This is a reflective piece in itseld is a valuable 'exercise' for all of us."
Beginning this fall, students will explore the other’s profession through a series of on-site learning experiences to foster a foundation in art and physiotherapy. Collaborative activities begin at NSCAD through a ‘Movement’ workshop by choreographer, Sara Coffin on October 28, 2014. Later this fall, NSCAD student will work with students in the first-year physiotherapy module, Introduction to Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy and Health Promotions.
NSCAD and Physiotherapy faculty, students and friends are invited to attend a special PT Matters presentation by NSCAD faculty members Movement: from the Perspectives of our Backgrounds in the Visual and Performing Arts, on November 5, 2014.