by Jessica Gendron-Labbe | photography by Jose Leiva
As you make your way through the front doors of the Andwell Hospice House, the first thing you will notice is a large, beautifully-crafted Tree of Life quilt hanging on the wall. Depending on the day, the second may be the smell of a freshly baked batch of cookies from Karen’s Kitchen. Then, as you make your way down the halls and through the rooms, you are surrounded and even guided by the original work of several Maine artists chosen specifically for this space.
Beauty in the transitions of life
When Andwell Health Partners CEO Ken Albert came up with the idea to acquire original artwork for the Hospice House, he knew it needed to be a varied collection representing the beauty in the circle of life. He also knew, without a doubt, that Pam Hetherly was the perfect person to help get this project done right.
“She’s a physician, an engineer, and an artist,” Albert says. “There is art at every level of what she does.”
The atmosphere in the Hospice House is gentle and calming, and an incredible amount of thought has gone into making it this way. The choice of color on the walls is purposeful, the lighting is specifically chosen, and the sound of a talented harpist playing live is perfectly placed. The colors, textures, and sounds come together to create a calm atmosphere that doesn’t demand attention but rather inspires quiet contemplation.
Comfort in end of life care
To say that Hetherly was happy to join the project is an understatement. She has long known the Hospice House and the great work they do. The importance of cultivating an environment that could bring comfort and even joy to everyone who enters the Hospice House was not lost on Hetherly – she was proud to be a part of it.
“The Hospice House is an incredible place in so many ways,” says Hetherly. “They do such a great job with end-of-life care, and this was only going to add to the good done for the people and families coming in.”
Bringing the outside in
The project’s goal was to make the Hospice House’s interior cohesive with the natural beauty surrounding it. Even the atmosphere provided by the landscaping is calm and comforting, set in a secluded piece of land surrounded by the woods of Stetson Road in Auburn.
Inspired by their surroundings, the theme for the collection was an easy choice: Bringing the Outside In. Having a theme ensured the project stayed on mission, and they felt there was no better representation of the circle of life than nature.
“The walls were stark, and we wanted each piece, first —to contribute to the experience of this phase of transition in life for the patient; second — and very importantly, to contribute to the grief process for the families,” Albert says. “Art can be transformative; art can communicate.”
After a small committee selected 15 artists to be part of the project, Hetherly asked each to create up to eight pieces for consideration. Hetherly then took her time carefully choosing each piece to ensure it fit the collection’s theme. Sometimes, while visiting the artist’s studio, Hetherly would spot older pieces that she felt would fit perfectly and acquired those as well. The entire process took 15 months.
Something for everyone
The collection of artwork at the Andwell Hospice House features several styles and media types – from oil, pastel, and acrylic paintings to encaustic, watercolor, and even printmaking. Each piece in the hall is beautifully displayed with overhead lighting, leading you through the halls to each room assigned to a different artist. In the assigned rooms, the artists have four additional pieces hanging. Hetherly creates an experience connecting one end to the other.
“I purposely wanted a wide variety of work with different media used,” says Hetherly. “Style preference is such a personal thing; I wanted there to be something there for everyone to enjoy.”
It was important to both Hetherly and Albert to have a combination of styles represented, ensuring there was something for everyone to love – including facility staff. The collection does more than enhance the aesthetics of the Hospice House; it creates a space where emotions can surface gently, allowing both guests and faculty to feel both the weight and the lightness of life.
Over the years, the walls of the Andwell Hospice House have held many things for the people in our community— memories of a loved one shared around the fireplace in the living room and goodbyes whispered to a dear friend. Now, they also hold a personalized art collection composed of fifteen Maine artists, letting light into the dark and bringing the outside in.
Andwell Hospice House
Auburn | Andwell.org