Health Environment Art Services

Front desk at Health Environment Art Services's new office

I first met Denise Rippinger at the HealthCare Design Conference in 2005 in Scottsdale. I was pretty inexperienced at providing art for hospitals at that point. She was kind enough to introduce me to people and explain what she did as an art consultant. Recently she has moved to a new office, so I thought it would be a good time to call her to find out what was going on.

Tell me about Health Environment Art Services. How long have you been in business?

This year is our 20th anniversary of being in business.  I started the first company "Corporate Artworks Ltd" in 1988.  Coming from a business background, having a love and passion for art as well as being an artist is what gave me the idea to start this business.  If you recall, in the early 80's art did not yet play a big part in the office environment or hospitals.  

In the beginning all of my clients were corporate offices and then gradually I started getting requests to improve healthcare environments.  It seemed like a natural thing to do and I found that it gave me great pleasure to have an audience that not only enjoyed the art but that gave art a deeper meaning and purpose.

How many people work there?

Currently we have 21 people on staff and this is our third facility due to growth.  In 2003 we officially started a new company called "Health Environment Art Services". Although we had been placing artwork in hospitals and healthcare environments for many years, the stigma of "Corporate" did not give us the credibility that we deserved.

I understand you have recently moved. Tell me about your new place.

Our facility has a beautiful showroom, and great areas set up specifically for our art consultants to design out projects.  We also have office space, frame styling, frame shop, shipping and receiving.  It is quite a busy operation with anywhere from 30 to 50 jobs going on at the same time. Our new facility houses both companies.

Since you are based in Chicago, do you work primarily in the Upper Midwest?

We work with clients nationwide. 

Earlier you mentioned your "Creative Solutions Team", can you tell me a bit about that?

We pride ourselves in going to a much higher levels of creating healing environments that are unique.  We have formed a "Creative Solutions Team" in essence a brain storming team made up of very experienced art consultants, interior designers, art degree graduates and artists. It allows everyone to express their creative ideas for a specific project and as a team we expand on those ideas. It's a great thing for our clients because they know that their space is going to be special.

What are your thoughts on Evidence-based Art ?

I am often asked what my thoughts are about evidence-based art.  This is a tough question because I feel like this has become an industry buzz phrase.

In reality what might be comforting or distracting to one person could be the total opposite to another.  Ethnicity, age, demographics, and religion are just a few elements that can throw a wrench into the evidence-based philosophy.  What works for some doesn't work for all. 

I think that every hospital needs to be looked at individually and the artwork be based specifically on its patient population.  This is not to throw research out the window, but to use common sense.  Whether it is evidence-based or not, I personally think that nature is the source for all healing

To learn more:
Denise  Rippinger - President
Health Environment Art Services
www.healtheart.com
76 West Seegers Road
Arlington Heights IL 60005-3917
(847) 843-3636