Mercy Fore River Hospital

Portland, Maine
Architect: Stanley Beaman & Sears
Associate Architect: Perkins + Will
Square Feet: 151,000; Art Count: 200+
Timeline: April 2007 – September 2008

Mercy Hospital’s art goal for their new Fore River campus was to capture “The Spirit of Maine” in a patient-focused art program through the eyes of local artists while also supporting their faith-based ministry. As the visual presence of the Sisters of Mercy continues to lessen in numbers within the hospital, it became important to visually connect the story of their founder Sr. Catherine McCauley with their present day service to the community at the new hospital.

Distinctive Art Source helped Mercy Hospital create an art program with diverse visual journeys representing the year-round beauty of many land and seascapes found throughout the state of Maine. From rocky coastlines to blueberry fields, large scale images of nature bring dramatic exterior views into interior spaces. Large scale photo murals in basement elevator lobbies provide unexpected exterior views below grade while a multimedia history wall connects the Sisters of Mercy past with their present and future.