In 2016, under the leadership of Phyllis Wingate, the Atrium Health Cabarrus Healing Art Program was established with the creation of a hospital arts committee. The committee comprised of hospital leadership, teammates and community art volunteers was formed to determine and select art for the hospital. With the help of Christie Taylor with Hodges Taylor Art Consulting, a defined framework for the art program was created. Philanthropic funding from the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation, other local foundations, grants and hospital funding brought Phyllis’ vision to life.

Over the course of the next few years a collection of pieces were commissioned, and new partnerships were formed with local art organizations to loan art for display. Artists from Clearwater Studios loan art as part of the program each year. The art is made up of different forms of art which include sand, glass, wood, and paintings. Today this art can be found down “Community Way” in several cabinets within the hospital as part of the program.

In 2018, Phyllis asked the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation to oversee the hospital Healing Art Program. A special fund was created at the Foundation to support the program, allowing the Foundation to seek community support for hospital art. Her vision of art supporting the healing process remains today for our patients, teammates and families visiting their loved ones. The program has impacted so many who have come through the hospital doors and continues to grow because of her vision, guidance, and initiative.

In 2022, hospital and Foundation leadership announced the renaming of the Healing Art Program to honor Phyllis. The Wingate Art Program is a testament to her steadfast leadership to Improve Health, Elevate Hope and Advance Healing for all. Phyllis has always been deeply passionate about the role of art in
healing, believing it supports patients, families and teammates throughout their experiences at Atrium Health Cabarrus. Research indicates that art fosters healing, mental well-being, stress and anxiety reduction, and uplifts people, all of which align with Phyllis’ vision.

As you walk the halls of Atrium Health Cabarrus, and you see the art, always know that Phyllis began this program with the intention of bringing healing to patients, teammates and family members visiting their loved ones. We hope you will enjoy touring the Wingate Art Program and consider supporting this incredible program for our hospital.