A free, one-night photo exhibition will tell the stories of people who have early warning signs of heart disease at the Rodman Hall Art Centre on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Assistant Professor of Nursing Sheila O’Keefe-McCarthy and Brock University’s Heart Innovation Research program team invite the Brock community to the next phase of research in the He-ART-istic Journey, a series of photos depicting the words of those navigating through the recognition of developing heart disease.

“The intent of this type of arts-based information dissemination is to connect with people on a very personal level,” O’Keefe-McCarthy says. “The data has called me to translate the findings into something understandable.”

Inspired by evidence that has emerged from the Heart Innovation Research program, led by O’Keefe-McCarthy and suggesting that patients want to receive information in ways that are meaningful to them, this event is intended to help change perceptions and increase understanding of the early warning signs of heart disease.

“I felt compelled by the narratives of those in my study to take what they were saying further,” O’Keefe-McCarthy explains. ‘It is imperative to bring attention to this knowledge in a way that transcends traditional ways of disseminating research. I have created an integrated qualitative arts-based methodology which layers artistic genres together called the Arts-Based Embodied Layered Exploration (ABELE) approach to really open up the data which permits a heightened level of resonance.”

This arts-informed journey through cardiac illness is the second time O’Keefe-McCarthy has hosted an event which provides a unique glimpse into the lives of individuals with heart disease through the morphing of art and science together.

The new He-ART-istic Journey – Timed series further incorporates thematic, verbatim poetry, artistic thematic visual photography and embodied theatrical presentation.

The public, health professionals, academics and researchers are invited to attend this event which is intended to be remembered on a personal level and remain in the hearts and minds of individuals, families and communities.

What: The He-ART-istic Journey-Timed Series
When: February 20, 2020 at 7 p.m.
Where: Rodman Hall Art Centre, 109 St. Paul Crescent, St. Catharines

The event is free and open to the public, but an online RSVP is required.