Family donates Carr piece to hospital foundation

A wall at Lions Gate Hospital is now far more colourful thanks to the donation of an art collection, including Emily Carr’s Wind in the Wood, by a longtime North Shore family to the hospital’s foundation.

“More British Columbians go through our hospitals each day than our galleries, and many of these hospital visits are in times of concern or pain,” said Stuart McNeill, of the gift from the McNeill family. “If our family’s donation can take someone’s mind off of a difficult situation, for even a moment, then it was worthwhile.”

Paul Hamilton, past chair and current director of the foundation, said in a statement that the gift is a significant addition to the hospital’s art collection.

“A great collection begins and grows one item at time,” said Hamilton. “It is a community art collection focused on the healing power of art. Wind in the Wood inspires ones’ imagination and spirit. It is a donation to the community and represents personal commitment and exemplifies the belief that art has a positive role in medical therapy. We are thankful and honoured to have been chosen as a home for such a significant piece of Canadian art.”

Established in 1987, the foundation is the fundraising arm of the hospital. In the past decade, the foundation has raised more than $100 million to support the purchase of new medical equipment, facility upgrades, staff education and research, the foundation said.