VA New England Healthcare System
Dr. Ritamarie Moscola: featured artist
This is a portion of Dr. Moscola's work titled "Autumn."
Dr. Ritamarie Moscola is the Medical Director for the GEC programs at Manchester VAMC. She is also an artist of renown, whose work in recent years has focused on the healing energy of art.
She was the Art Connection in the Capital Region (ACCR) Featured Artist in May 2014; her work continues to be featured on the ACCR site. According to the site, a friend once asked her why she spent so much time drawing and painting. When viewing her work, he saw a watercolor that reminded him of his home in Bhutan. It was at that moment that he understood.
Ritamarie received her MD from Pennsylvania State University, and her MPH from Johns Hopkins University. Her artistic skills come from her having completed the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program at the Maryland Institute College of Art. She lectures and offers workshops that encourage participants to explore creativity and experience art making.
Ritamarie was a member of the original group of artists who contributed to ACCR. In 2005, Calvary Women's Shelter chose "Nighttime Search" and in 2008, Identity, Inc. chose "And the Sun Shines On." The agencies hosted receptions celebrating the affiliations and the work, and many people were given the opportunity to experience original works of art in their daily environment. Ritamarie comments that it was extremely gratifying to be a part of this movement that brought art to people who had never experienced an exhibition.
In 2013 she participated in the ACCR/MICA: Art and Community exhibition. Remembering the good feelings and the void that her art filled, she submitted a piece. Her work, Wetland Spring, was chosen to be part of the juried exhibition at MICA and was selected for placement by Advocates for Survivors of Torture and Trauma.
She hopes that her artwork will continue to brighten community centers and will continue to inspire interest in community projects.
The ACCR enriches lives by expanding access to original works of visual art within underserved communities throughout the Greater Metropolitan Washington, DC area.
According to their website, their mission is primarily achieved through the facilitation of an innovative art donation and placement program that brings together artists and collectors willing to donate their artwork with qualifying nonprofit community service or public equivalent agencies that have no funding for art purchases.
