

Brenda Bristol is a leader in the Spectrum Health Expressive Arts Program. She has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and painting has provided an avenue of communication for her over the last ten years. Gerri an artist from the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion created a painting about her own journey and it was a ladder. She described how she was in a deep well and she had a ladder each step was different to get out. Some steps are close together and others are farther apart. Painting is helping her and other individuals at Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion. This installation is about working together on journey ladders and knowing that during the journey there are others around to help. The ladders are a way to fight off isolation and loneliness and bring in togetherness and friendships to help the healing process. The creative process is healing for the people who suffer from all types of injuries and illnesses. Also, it's healing for caregivers, too. Spectrum Health Expressive Arts Program creates at a Gallery/Studio at 750 Fuller Ave N.E. in Grand Rapids and Spectrum Health's Gallery/Studio at 4130 Kalamazoo Avenue and 4118 Kalamazoo Avenue. Also, at our Lemmen- Holton Cancer Pavilion at 145 Michigan Street N.E. in Grand Rapids.
These are Brenda's official ArtPrize entries from this year and past years.
These are images of past work that Brenda has done.