A young artist’s beach-inspired artwork is helping welcome research participants to the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Partnering with Exeter College, the Trust commissioned students aged 17 and 18 from its Art and Design faculty to create original pieces inspired by the theme of ‘utopia’.

Georgia Bushnell created her winning piece after being inspired by her own utopia, Budleigh Salterton Beach. It now has pride of place in the Royal Devon Commercial Research Centre (CRC) entrance, greeting research participants with beautiful hues and a sense of calm.

Georgia, who studied for a UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art, Design and Communication: Fine Art at Exeter College, said:

“I’m really grateful to have my work displayed at the hospital. I’ve never had my artwork up anywhere before, so this is amazing. My piece is inspired by my own utopia, Budleigh Beach, where I live. Every time I go to the beach, I find it really calming. I’ve seen sunsets like this there, and it’s so beautiful to sit on the rocks, look out at the sunset and feel relaxed.”

“I wanted to bring that feeling to the CRC, so people can experience that same sense of calm when they are sitting down or walking past.”

Georgia’s winning piece was chosen by a focus group of health research participants, who voted for the artwork they felt best captured the theme and would create a comfortable environment for participants. With so many high-quality submissions, choosing just one piece was a difficult decision.

Amelie Foster, Industry Placement Liaison Officer at Exeter College, said:

“It’s been fantastic to collaborate with the Royal Devon Commercial Research Centre, working with the team and our Art and Design faculty. This has given our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design students the chance to create artwork for a real healthcare setting, with the final piece chosen by research participants.”

“It is a real honour that Georgia’s artwork was selected, and it helps show how art can play an important role in healthcare settings, making people’s journeys through healthcare as positive as possible. We are so proud of what she has created, and we hope to continue our work with the Trust.”

The collaboration forms part of a wider Trust project to work with Exeter College to bring art into patient spaces, including areas designed to be dementia friendly. The CRC project is one arm of this wider initiative, giving young artists the chance to see how their work can directly enhance patient wellbeing, while helping them start building the skills they will need to secure commissions as professional artists.

For research, the project will not only bring a splash of colour to the CRC, but also help raise awareness of health research with young people and set the scene for a brilliant new collaboration.

Emma Reid, Team Lead for Kestor and the Commercial Research Centre, said:

“The Commercial Research Centre has an excellent track record for giving participants the best possible experience, and creating a welcoming environment is an important part of that. By involving participants in choosing the artwork, we were able to make sure the piece reflected the views of people who use the space.”

“Georgia’s piece really stood out for the sense of calm it brings, and the project is a lovely example of how working with local partners can enhance patient spaces, support young people and raise awareness of research in our community.”

As a research-led Trust with a strong reputation for innovation, the Royal Devon supports everything from cutting-edge commercial research to opportunities for NHS colleagues to learn new skills and get involved in research.

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