Bright new colourful artwork will welcome patients and visitors when they arrive at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.

The new artwork consists of four pieces created by Celeste Noah of Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiit, Delaware Nation.

The artwork was installed in the ambulatory care waiting room, dialysis waiting room, intensive care unit family waiting room and in the reflection space.

Each piece is accompanied with a descriptive plaque for patients, families, and visitors to learn about the art and its meaning.

“Ms. Noah’s artwork serves as a powerful expression of connection to land, tradition, and spirituality,” said CKHA Board Chair Deb Crawford. “We are so pleased this art is now a permanent part of our Chatham Site and hope that it will inspire meaningful conversations and foster a greater understanding of Indigenous culture.”  

The new art at the Chatham Site is in part of the CKHA’s Innovation Grant Program, which allows staff, physicians, volunteers and patient advisors to bring forward ideas to make positive change at the hospital.

Noah was chosen as the successful candidate for the Chatham Site.

“I learned how to watercolour paint during the COVID-19 lockdown,” said Noah. “It was a new hobby I picked up to occupy my time. I searched for other Native watercolour artists online but could only find one example, so I used my knowledge and creativity to paint our people wearing their regalia, colourful in motion. I submitted this piece to CKHA’s call for Indigenous artists and I was shocked I was chosen.”

The installation of Noah’s artwork in Chatham follows the addition of “Revitalizing River”created by Mariah Alexander of Walpole Island First Nation at the Wallaceburg Site.