SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital has opened a community art gallery near its lobby, funded by a $10,030 gift from the Agnesian HealthCare Foundation. The rotating gallery will feature monthly exhibits from local non-profit organizations and schools in Green Lake, Princeton, Ripon, and Rosendale-Brandon, with the first display created in collaboration with Art MidWisconsin. An open house was held on June 9, 2025, and the current exhibit runs through July 2026.
This initiative matters because it brings local art into a healthcare setting, where studies show exposure to art can reduce pain medication needs, shorten hospital stays, and lower stress for patients and caregivers. By showcasing community artists and rotating exhibits, the hospital fosters a healing environment while strengthening ties between local artists and the community.