A collection of paintings by students from H’art Centre is bringing some welcome colour and creativity to the offices of the Queen's Family Health Team (QFHT) in downtown Kingston.

QFHT commissioned the H’art Centre artists and the participants painted a variety of works using the theme “Healthy Living and Active Lifestyles.”

The artists studied basic concepts about how to maintain and improve physical and mental health for several months before putting brush to canvas. The colourful paintings, displayed in the QFHT’s six patient waiting areas, reflect topics including nutrition, exercise, staying in touch with friends, reading, trying new things, enjoying the outdoors and getting your flu shot.

Dr. Karen Schultz, who worked with H’art Centre Executive Director Katherine Porter in facilitating the initiative, said the partnership is “one of those lovely win-win situations."

“The artists from H’art have had the experience of creatively displaying their ideas about how to live a healthy life,” she says. “For us at Queen’s Family Medicine, this is another way to get this message to our patients, and the art itself is so bright and cheerful that it can’t help but bring a smile to your face. The paintings are a joy.”

H'art Centre is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing people with disabilities and those facing barriers with opportunities to study, enjoy and produce works in the arts. For more information, visit hartschool.ca.