Artists in Residence

Students Trade Books for Brushes

by Pamela McComas

A bold acrylic on canvas called “Oligodendrocyte Extension” hangs near an exquisitely shaded pencil-on-paper drawing of the posterior C2 vertebra.  Across the room, collages and photos of people and places from Charm City to Myanmar preserve moments in time. Though the media are different, there is a common thread: the artists are Hopkins nursing students.

Nursing students lend or donate their art to display at the School of Nursing Student House. The art changes as students graduate and new students arrive, which provides students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the Student House with a rotating gallery to enjoy.

While the art showcases talent, it also illustrates the diversity of the students. Hannah Miner, Accel. ’12, displays her art in the Student House and appreciates that the School celebrates students’ diversity in this way. “I think it is important to recognize the many talents of our student body, especially considering we all come from such different backgrounds,” she says.

For Gina Colaizzo, ’12, who contributed the oligodendrocyte painting, displaying her art also creates connections. “I can’t think of a better place to display artwork related to science,” she explains. “I also love to see the works of my peers. It’s a great way to find other people with common interests.”

Check out Gina’s Blog.