An exhibit opening in Dallas this weekend is the result of art and nursing students coming together. "Vital Signs: Art, Health and Aging" opens Friday.
Aaron Loeb, an assistant clinical professor in the College of Nursing at Texas Woman's University-Houston, started working with Giovanni Valderas, a drawing and painting professor at TWU-Denton, on the project that features work by students.
"This exhibit is really a great cross-polinization between two departments that wouldn't necessarily talk to each other," Valderas says. "I feel like it's a really strong show in hopes of broadening perspectives, and we can also use it as an educational experience."
Valderas says nursing and art students met several times via Zoom to talk about the illnesses they would represent. Nursing students provided information, background and sample pictures.
"These are illnesses that are affecting everyone," he says. "My initial thought was how do we get people engaged with this and normalize these illnesses?"
The finished pieces include paintings, sculptures and abstract work produced by 14 art students. Among illnesses represented are heart disease, diabetes and dementia.
Representing dementia is a painting that shows a person's shadow in the distance.
"Often, people feel like they are walking into this void, and they have no idea what's before them and what a lonely experience that can be," Valderas says.
A piece representing diabetes includes a calendar with some pages on the floor. Each page has a reminder for injections and monitoring.
"This one really resonated with me because I have a friend who is newly diagnosed with diabetes, and he had to change his whole lifestyle. He was explaining how difficult it was," Valderas says. "She nailed it. That is exactly his life."
Another shows a blood pressure cuff painted among blood cells.
"The instrument gauge is cracked, symbolizing that anxiety we face when we go into a doctor's office," he says.
Part of the exhibit includes clothes and pictures someone might see cleaning out the closet of a loved one who has died.
While the artwork may highlight fear or sadness, Valderas says the pieces can also bring hope. He says seeing the work might show visitors the importance of talking about their health.
"My hope is they'll be more aware of certain symptoms they might be having," he says. "Maybe this show will trigger them to have a discussion with family members or even go visit the doctor."
Valderas says Vital Signs: Art, Health and Aging can also show people anxiety they might feel going to a doctor or hospital is common.
"There are always perceptions student artwork isn't as valuable or, maybe, as interesting," he says. "I like to think this show challenges those perspectives."
Vital Signs: Art, Health and Aging is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through May 31 at The Janette Kennedy Gallery, 1409 Botham Jean Blvd #105, Dallas, 75215. More information is available at https://glasstire.com/events/2025/05/05/vital-signs-art-health-and-aging/.