AT THE GALLERY | Operation Art a healthy outcome for patients and families

The installation is part of 'Operation Art', an initiative of the Children's Hospital at Westmead in collaboration with the Department of Education and installed via an Arts and Health Partnership program with Orange Regional Gallery.

Each year, more than 800 artworks from schools across NSW are submitted to the 'Operation Art' program which then go on exhibition at the Armory Gallery in Sydney.

Judges select 50 works to be exhibited at the Art Gallery of New South Wales before touring to regional galleries.

While we have previously installed 'Operation Art' at Orange Regional Gallery, it seemed more beneficial on this occasion to share these amazing artworks with a wider audience.

Our unique partnership with Orange Health Service presented us with an opportunity to display these in our hospital, bringing colour and interest to children and families when they need it most.

The exhibition provides a real purpose for student's art-making - contributing to the wellbeing of sick children and their families by creating work which is uplifting and gives hope to those who spend much of their time at hospital.

A major focus of the Arts and Health strategy is to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with high-quality artworks.

The underlying philosophy is that original art should be available to anyone and everyone, especially for those in our community who are unwell.

In addition to the touring works on display at Orange hospital, six children's artworks will also be gifted to the hospital which have been created by local students of the Central West. The official handing over ceremony will take place at 4pm on Thursday.

Operation Art is supported by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.