Butler Hospital Art Installation
PeaceLove artist Jeffrey M. Sparr's work will be featured in a new installation at Butler Hospital in Rhode Island.
Headline: Tapping Into and Maximizing Your Talent: One Man Shares His Secrets
How does one man beautify a hospital, inspire children, and raise funds to support services? By sharing his artistic talent and generous spirit.
Along with his many other achievements — businessman, athlete, father of three, and philanthropist — Jeffrey M. Sparr became a gifted artist and mental health advocate while learning to live with obsessive-compulsive disorder. His artistic achievement has garnered national attention and was featured at the 51st Annual GRAMMY MusiCares Reception in Los Angeles in February. And, his mental health advocacy work is also getting media attention, as Jeff was recently featured on NBC 10 and in The Providence Journal. A long-time supporter of Butler Hospital, Jeff is the co-founder of Butler’s annual golf tournament, which will celebrate its 11th Anniversary in June. Now, Jeff has found another way to help the hospital through sharing his artistic talent. In celebration of the opening of his Web studio, PeaceLove Studios (jmsparr.com), Jeff donated eight original oil paintings to Butler. Classified as neo-expressionist, Jeff’s donation included a whimsical, colorful series of a man in thought. “Having my artwork hang on the walls at Butler for patients to see will hopefully inspire them to explore art as an outlet to help them cope with whatever challenges they are facing,” expresses Jeff.
Jeff didn’t want to solely rely on patients viewing his art to be inspired, so he and his wife, Jennifer, began collaborating with the hospital’s Occupational Therapy Department in offering art classes to children hospitalized at Butler. In volunteering their time, Jeff and Jennifer are opening up a world of creativity to kids with mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.
Studies have shown that art therapy enhances mental health, a benefit Jeff is well aware of since he used art to help him heal from his own illness. “Jeff’s energy and compassion make him a fantastic role model for the kids, and he provides a powerful example of how mental illness can be managed,” says Barbara Ostrove, director of Occupational Therapy. Jeff not only shares his talent and experience, but also provides the high-quality canvases on which the children can express their own artistic talent.
Jeff has also donated several signed and numbered editions of his painting, Peaceman, which are available for purchase by contacting the hospital’s Funds Development Department at 455-6563. True to his nature, he has requested that the proceeds from sales go directly towards funding hospital programs and services. By buying one of his pieces, you can beautify a space with a fun piece of artwork, inspire others by telling Jeff’s story, and help support the hospital at the same time.
Jeff Sparr is proof that one man can truly make a difference!
