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Bath College and Art at the Heart of the RUH Continue to Inspire Through Art
Bath College proudly celebrated over four years of creative collaboration with Art at the Heart of the RUH, a partnership that brought colour, compassion, and community spirit to the corridors of the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH).
As part of this ongoing relationship, an exhibition by Bath College Printmakers was recently displayed in the hospital’s Central Corridor. This vibrant showcase featured exciting student work from the Printmaking Adult Community Learning (ACL) courses, transforming a clinical space into a gallery of playful enquiry, skilful technique, and expressive exploration.
Each piece was available for purchase, with one third of the proceeds donated directly to the RUH, supporting its vital work and enhancing the hospital experience for patients, staff, and visitors.
The exhibition highlighted a wide range of subjects and printmaking processes, including mono printing, relief printing, intaglio, and screen printing. Students were encouraged to experiment in the college’s well-equipped specialist workshops, producing individual and engaging outcomes that demonstrated considerable care, skill, and knowledge.
“These termly part-time courses provide opportunities to creatively explore and develop visual studies through a structured range of processes across the year,” said Sally Gaden, Lecturer of Art at Bath College. “They’re suitable for beginners to advanced learners and offer a rich, supportive environment where students share ideas and grow their creative practice.”
New students focused on specific techniques each term, while returning learners progressively expanded their skills. Experienced students used the sessions to deepen and refine their personal practice, with continuous support and constructive guidance provided throughout.
“Most of our exhibitions are temporary and sourced from the local community of artists, art groups, schools and colleges,” said Tony Smith, Exhibitions Manager for Art at the Heart of the RUH. “Bath College is one of our regular partnerships and it’s a pleasure to showcase the amazing artwork produced at the college.”
Art at the Heart of the RUH is an award-winning arts programme that supports healing and wellbeing through visual arts, music, and design. Reaching over 200,000 people annually, the programme features around 500 artworks on display throughout the hospital at any given time, acquired through loans, donations, or commissions. A third of all artwork sales go directly to the RUH Arts Fund.
The health benefits of viewing original art have been scientifically validated. A recent study by King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience found that participants who viewed original artworks in a gallery setting experienced a 22% drop in cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, compared to just 8% for those viewing reproductions. Additionally, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α—linked to chronic diseases and stress, fell by 30% and 28% respectively in the gallery group, with no change in the control group.
Dr Tony Woods, lead author of the study, noted that “art doesn’t just move us emotionally, it calms the body too,” suggesting that cultural experiences like those offered at the RUH may play a real role in protecting both mental and physical health.
Bath College continues to offer a range of ACL and Love to Learn Art and Design courses, typically running for 10 weeks with 2.5-hour sessions available during the day or evening. These courses provide a welcoming space for learners to explore their creativity, build confidence, and connect with others through art.
Bath College invite artists from across the region to get involved by joining our classes, or simply visiting the artistic spaces at the RUH to experience the transformative power of community art.
For more information or to express interest in participating in our Adult Community Learning art classes, please contact acl@bathcollege.ac.uk.
Written by Amy King
Photography by Chloe Liebenberg