It may not be the Tate or the Louvre but Forth Valley Royal Hospital is soon to have its own art gallery. Staff and longer-stay patients are being invited along to a ‘Choosing Wall’, in the Learning Centre, and asked to select works by local artists which they would like to see in consulting rooms, ward corridors and waiting areas. The idea is the result of a collaboration between NHS Forth Valley and First4Frames in Falkirk.

The framed paintings and prints, which have to weigh less than 6kgs, will be hung securely from the hospital’s suspended ceilings, and will be loaned for at least six months. Paintings will be for sale and those that are sold will be replaced, if possible, by a picture by the same artist.

NHS Forth Valley Charitable Arts and Wellbeing Co-ordinator Babs McCool said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both the hospital and local artists. Forth Valley Royal has a wealth of exhibition space and given the volume of people who attend the building, it is a wonderful place to showcase artworks.”

Should the project be successful, it could be extended to Falkirk and Stirling Community hospitals.

For more information, please contact Bob Macintosh at First4Frames 01324 466333 orBabs McCool at NHS Forth Valley, 01324567492.