The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine’s fall 2016 art exhibit features photography that documents the range and depth of everyday factors that influence our population’s health, such as weather, environment, and natural influences.
The show, curated by award-winning photographer David Hungate, is titled “Our Valley: A Healthy Place to Live?” and features the works of 17 area photographers as well as first-year students at the school.
The exhibit will run through Oct. 28.
“Raising awareness of the many and complex influences on health is critical to eliminating barriers between everyday life experiences and scientifically based knowledge,” Hungate said. “Photographs can help to achieve this greater awareness and enhance the understanding of what affects health from direct physical environmental threats to more subtle social activities and cultural influences.”
Hungate’s images have been used in advertising and features in magazines and newspapers worldwide. In addition to being staff photographer at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, he owns his own photography business.
In addition to works from local photographers, the show features images taken by first-year students at the school during their public health walking tour of Roanoke, an annual event that takes place during new-student orientation to medical school.
“The show will underscore the importance of future physicians and health-care providers to have a better understanding of where our patients live, work, and play and how this influences their health,” said David Trinkle, associate dean for community and culture at the school. “It captures the human condition and documents the relationships between society, environment, and health, often in a very dramatic way.”
The exhibition is sponsored by the Creativity in Health Education Program at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Founded by Trinkle, the program strives to expand the social, cultural, and humanistic awareness of the school’s students and aims to involve community members in the life of the school.
The exhibit will run through Oct. 28. The school normally has restricted access so viewing will be by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact Carrie Knopf at [email protected].
