The Johnston County Arts Council, working in partnership with Johnston Health, seeks to promote the use of the arts to enhance the healthcare experience for patients, their families and caregivers at Johnston Medical Center-Clayton, a new outpatient hospital on N.C. 42 West in Clayton.

The public is invited to attend an opening reception held in conjunction with the first artist demonstration on January 21, 2010 from 11am to 1pm in the main lobby of Johnston Medical Center-Clayton.

Johnston County artist Janie Prete will share her love of watercolors and the therapeutic benefits she enjoys from her art form. Prete states, “Watercolor to me is a flow, always changing, never the same. A watercolor painting which is guided by the artist, rather than controlled and without fear or tightness, becomes a personal journey of partnership between the artist and the painting. Water remains the medium which continues to mystify and engage viewers. I often paint with an adventurous attitude, more experimental and a what-if attitude. Being lost in a painting and not knowing how one arrives is fascinating and leads to many discoveries and surprises.”

Originally from Massachusetts, Mrs. Prete lived fourteen years on the coast of North Carolina and now resides in Clayton with her husband, Gerry and two cats. She is a member of the Clayton Visual Arts and the North Carolina Watercolor Society and her work is currently on exhibit at Mattie King Davis Gallery in Beaufort, Handscapes Gallery in Carteret County and Right Angles Art and Framing in Clayton.

The Arts-in-Healthcare program will continue throughout the year with scheduled demonstrations on the third Thursday of each month from 11am to 1pm at Johnston Medical Center-Clayton. Artist Jimmy Brown will be featured on February 18th.

Anyone interested in additional information on the Arts-in-Healthcare program should contact the Johnston County Arts Council at 919.553.1930 or info@johnstoncountyarts.org