The Anouk Foundation, based in Geneva Switzerland, bridges the gap between art and well-being by transforming healthcare environments into positive spaces that help welcome, heal, and reassure patients during their treatment journeys.
In 2022, healthcare volunteer and arts advocate Elizabeth Leatherman brought Anouk’s impactful work to the United States through a project at Newport Hospital. Recognizing its potential for the behavioral healthcare community, Elizabeth saw an opportunity to expand its reach. Collaborating with Bradley Hospital, known for its dedication to the therapeutic healing arts, this partnership has provided an innovative way to improve the environment for adolescents in care.
With the support of philanthropic contributions from Elizabeth and her community, Bradley Hospital brought this vision to life. In October, artists Guillaume Ozon and Emmanuel Martin flew from overseas to spend nearly five weeks at Bradley, focusing their work on the adolescent inpatient program. Their approach was collaborative—engaging staff and patients to explore what would create a calming and inspiring atmosphere while aligning with therapeutic goals.
Together, they selected “transition and change” as the mural theme for the program’s two main corridors. Using the metaphor of the four seasons, the artists designed a captivating journey through interconnected imagery, crossing both continents and experiences, and populated with diverse people and animals. The artists creatively incorporated wayfinding elements and motivational words used during treatment to further enrich the space.
For the patients, the process was as transformative as the art itself. The adolescents worked alongside the artists, finding joy and inspiration in the collaboration. "It was fun! I liked talking and learning about their country," shared one participant. Another reflected, "I loved spending time with them and enjoyed doing something special off the unit helping them create the paintings." Many valued the opportunity to build creative skills: "I enjoyed the way they gave tips on ways to paint and create certain scenes," said one, while another summed it up simply: "They were awesome!"
The kids are delighted with the outcome and are even asking for ways to “take it with them” when they leave. No doubt the Bradley staff will find a way to make that happen just as they make sure so many things do for the kids they treat each and every day.
Bradley Hospital expresses heartfelt gratitude to the following for making this amazing project possible:
- Anouk Foundation
- Assouline
- Kim and Glenn Darden
- Firestone Foundation
- Drs. Horatio and Natalia Hojman
- Elizabeth and Bill Leatherman
- K. Ramesh and Barbara Murthy