Bonner General preparing for art transplant sale

Picasso said, "Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." I think we all could use a little dusting from time to time and now's your chance!

Come to the annual Art Transplant Sale at Bonner General Hospital. The sale is a silent auction fundraiser that benefits Bonner General's Art for the Soul program and features art of all kinds and mediums.

The sale begins Monday, April 23, and bidding ends promptly at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 26. This year, featured art includes original oil and acrylic paintings, pen-and-ink drawings, prints, watercolors, local art, sculpture, and more. You never know treasures you're going to find at the Art Transplant Sale.

The art of the Art for the Soul program delights both the eyes and hearts of patients, visitors and staff. The once empty halls of Bonner General Hospital are now warmed by the color and wonder of art. The healing power of art is something that cannot be explained, but take a walk through the halls of our hospital and you'll understand. The joy on a patient's face as they encounter larger-than-life sunflowers, or brightly colored photographs of faraway places is explanation enough.

Time in the hospital can be stressful when dealing with an illness or injury. What a benefit for patients and their families to be able to enjoy the uplifting artwork of favorite local artists like Ross Hall, Bonnie Shields, and Janene Grende — just to name a few.

The Art for the Soul collection is always growing and changing, but there seems to be endless space in the halls, rooms and offices of the hospital. The Art for the Soul program accepts donations, but also purchases work from local artists. Our art community in Sandpoint is very generous, more so than in any other community I've known. The Art for the Soul program appreciates their generosity and takes pride in giving back to the artists through the purchase of their artwork.

The Art Transplant Sale is currently the main source of funding for the program. Funds raised through the sale go toward the purchase of artwork, as mentioned above, as well as matting, framing, hanging supplies and other necessities. The Art Transplant Sale is integral to the program's survival.

Come see the art waiting at the Art Transplant Sale. You never know what inspiring treasures might await you.

The Art for the Soul Program needs you! We are seeking donations of "used art" from the community to include in this year's sale. The program will be accepting donations of artwork until Friday, April 20, to be included in the auction the following week. If you have any donations, or would like more information on the program or the sale, please call Nikki Luttmann at 265-1123.

The Art for the Soul committee and Bonner General Hospital would also like to thank all of the artists and art lovers who have donated work to the hospital gallery and the "art transplant sales." We truly appreciate your generosity and the spirit of compassion you have given to our walls.