Project Overview

Our team was selected to curate and install the art program for the 8th Floor of Adventist Healthcare - White Oak Medical Center, a 20,500-square-foot medical-surgical unit featuring 30 private beds, including 10 medical-surgical beds, 20 observation beds, and four isolation rooms. The project spanned over eight months, from initial concept to final installation, and required close coordination with the hospital's design and spiritual mission to ensure a cohesive, healing environment.

Project Goals

• Support the hospital's faith-based mission and values.

• Create a cohesive art program aligned with other floors.

• Incorporate evidence-based and biophilic design principles.

• Enhance patient, family, and staff well-being through intentional art selection and placement.

Project Methodology

Spirituality & Healing

Led by curator Juliana Roslin, the art program was developed using Adventist HealthCare's mission to extend God's care through physical, mental, and spiritual healing ministry while welcoming and serving people of all backgrounds and faiths. Art was selected following Adventist HealthCare's spirituality and art guidelines, emphasizing the healing qualities of nature, biophilic design, and spiritual themes. The imagery was chosen by curator Juliana Roslin, in collaboration with Adventist Healthcare Sr. Director of Facility Planning, Design, and Construction Javorka Saracevic, to represent God's work visually—primarily through nature—while providing positive distractions, comfort, and a sense of familiarity for a diverse patient population.

Architectural & Design Collaboration

The architecture and interior design led by the esteemed firm Wilmot Sanz (wilmot.com), known for its exceptional healthcare design expertise, played a vital role in reviewing and approving our art plans, ensuring complete visual and architectural alignment with their design vision.

Evidence-Based Design (EDAC)

We applied EDAC principles, using research to inform decisions about art type, placement, and subject matter. This approach reduces stress, improves patient outcomes, and supports mental and spiritual well-being.

Cohesion & Flow

A key challenge was ensuring our 8th-floor program harmonized with art on other floors, curated by a different company. We maintained visual and thematic consistency while introducing unique spiritual elements specific to our Floor.

EDAC-Compliant Art Selection Process

1. Spiritual Artworks

We developed three variations of spiritual art, each aligned with the hospital's mission. One grouping was selected, featuring gentle, uplifting imagery and subtle spiritual references, ensuring inclusivity and comfort for all backgrounds.

2. Local Connection

To ground the space in its community, we featured photography by local Maryland artist Lee Goodwin, whose work captures the beauty of the surrounding region. This approach supports the guideline to reflect local landscapes and familiar scenes, which research shows can reduce stress and promote healing.

3. Biophilic & Macro Botanical Photography

We incorporated macro botanical photography, echoing biophilic design principles by bringing calming, detailed images of nature into the hospital environment.

4. Intentional Placement & Sizing

All artworks were installed at a consistent height, regardless of orientation, to create a clean, harmonious flow throughout the Floor. This uniformity avoids visual "choppiness" and supports the space's architectural lines, which is especially important in high-traffic healthcare environments.

5. Medium & Framing Variety

We alternated between canvases, shadow boxes, acrylics, and framed prints, establishing a subtle pattern that adds visual interest while maintaining cohesion. Entryways featured elegant, hand-embellished shadow boxes; waiting rooms transitioned to softer styles; main hallways showcased a striking triptych of watercolor art on acrylic, complemented by a mix of photography and botanical prints.

6. Functional Considerations

Lead Curator Juliana Roslin carefully coordinated the art placement plans, considering medical handrails, nurse stations, and patient room locations to ensure safety, accessibility, and comfort. The selection process considered the needs of patients, families, and staff and the practicalities of hospital operations.

Signage & Wayfinding

The 8th Floor's signage palette, featuring Sherwin Williams SW7702 "Spiced Cider" (dark orange), was carefully selected to provide warmth and high visibility throughout the unit. We used this color palette and the signage design as an inspirational guide for our art curation, allowing the Floor's color theory to inform and unify our selection of artwork. Art Curator Juliana Roslin intentionally chose and curated each piece to harmonize with the signage, ensuring that the art complemented the interior finishes, reinforced the Floor's unique identity, and supported intuitive wayfinding for patients, visitors, and staff.

Renderings & Visuals

The Art Firm's creative staff developed detailed renderings and mocked-up floorplans to visualize the art program in context, ensuring alignment with architectural features and interior design elements. These visuals facilitated project management and stakeholder engagement and allowed for early identification of potential issues, reducing costly changes during installation.

Outcomes & Reflections

• Cohesive, healing environment: The 8th-floor art program supports Adventist HealthCare's mission, enhances the patient experience, and aligns with evidence-based design best practices.

• Positive feedback: Staff and visitors noted the art's calming, uplifting atmosphere, the local landmarks featured, and the seamless integration with the hospital's architecture.

• Model for future projects: This project demonstrates the value of intentional, research-driven art curation in healthcare settings.

Key Takeaways

• Early coordination with design and spiritual care teams is essential for success.

• Evidence-based and biophilic design principles should guide art selection and placement.

• Consistency in sizing and thoughtful medium and subject matter variation create visual harmony.

• Local artists and familiar imagery help foster community connection and comfort in healthcare facility patients, staff, and visitors.

• Functional needs—such as safety, accessibility, and workflow—must always be considered.

This project case study illustrates how thoughtfully curated and professionally installed art can transform a hospital floor into a healing, comforting, and spiritually supportive environment. Collaboration, intentional design, and storytelling can produce powerful results in a healthcare setting.

With Adventist HealthCare's vision, Wilmot Sanz's architectural excellence, and local photographer Lee Goodwin's partnership, we transformed the Eighth Floor of White Oak Medical Center in Maryland into a visual and emotional sanctuary—nurturing healing through art.

If you're planning a healthcare, senior living, or wellness space and want to create a meaningful art experience that aligns with your mission, contact Art Firm to explore how we can be your trusted partner.