Sierra Arts, Renown Health Foundation, and UNR School of Medicine present healing works

SIERRA ARTS NEWS RELEASE – In collaboration with Renown Health Foundation and the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, Sierra Arts Gallery, 17 South Virginia St. #120 in Reno, is proud to present “AiR: Artists in Residence,” featuring artists Reece Jones, Yusria Malik, Marie Duan Meservy, and Carly Nystrom, from April 30 to May 16, with an artist reception on May 16 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Also fourth year medical students, this exhibition is a showcase of artwork made in conjunction with the students’ medical research and study.

The Artists in Residence Program, a partnership between Renown Health Foundation, Sierra Arts Foundation, and the University of Nevada, School of Medicine, is dedicated to connecting fourth year medical students with the power of the arts. This project was created with the aim of developing and nurturing the mutually beneficial skills of observation, analysis, empathy, and self-reflection essential to both artistic practice and human medical care. The hope is to deepen understanding of the connections between medicine and the arts and to examine first hand the claim that creativity and expression are integral components to healing. The broader goal of this project is to advocate for the integration of the arts into the environment and delivery of care within healthcare facilities. Sierra Arts is hosting an exhibition of artwork that has been developed through this program over the last year.

Four students are participating, and include the following:

Reece Jones, born in Clearlake, California, came to Nevada through Eureka and Fallon. He received his Bachelor’s from Brigham Young University in 2009. His origami garden artwork is demonstrated in instructional videos helping patients and family to create their own artwork.

Yusria Malik is a committed women’s health advocate and aspiring OB/GYN who has been writing for as long as she can remember and first delved into the genre of slam poetry in 2006. She has performed at spoken word shows in San Diego, Reno, Las Vegas, Portland and Washington D.C. and will present current work about medical experiences from students, nurses, and doctors.

Marie Duan Meservy’s story began in China where she was the child of two young doctors, living without a refrigerator or hot water. She has since lived in Montreal and many parts of the U.S., and continues to broaden her perspective by traveling. During her clinical years, she made a hobby of telling stories about the brave and resilient people she met in hospitals and has turned those stories into a blog and subsequent book.

Carly Nystrom is a Carson City native. The oldest of three, she is the first in her family to attend college. During her artist is residency project, she spent time with pediatric patients painting and drawing. She believes art is something that is applicable to anyone no matter who you are or where you come from, and it has the ability to transform each of us in a unique way.