community of hope
Community of Hope, a glass painting commissioned by the new University Health Women's and Children's Hospital-San Antonio,
visually communicates that this hospital is a community united and anchored to hope—here, hope is found, hope is fostered, and hope is shared.
in bloom
The new University Health Women's and Children's Hospital-San Antonio commissioned Terri to create a glass painting as a signature piece for their main lobby—and the design theme for this new hospital was "In Bloom."
This is what she does—she creates glass paintings for spaces designed to bring healing and hope.
And she got to tell their story with something she loves—flowers.
seeking inspiration
The journey to create this piece began during construction when she traveled to San Antonio to seek inspiration from her client. She spent time with their administrators, physicians, nurses, and visitors to understand their desires and to find inspiration.
This glass painting would be theirs—and the inspiration had to come
from them.
revealing their story
Terri was deeply moved by a woman standing in the shadows; the woman hesitantly walked up to Terri and quietly shared her thoughts—she helped Terri to see with her heart. A frail woman Terri will never see again, shared her memories of Fiesta, and her heart inspired this glass painting Terri created, titled Community of Hope.
from the Battle of flowers to fiesta
In 1891, a group of citizens honored the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Led by horse-drawn carriages decorated with fresh flowers, they bombarded each other with fresh flowers in the Battle of Flowers, and the Fiesta tradition was born.
Oh, if only today, battles could be fought with blossoms.
Today, Fiesta is a festival—a joyful celebration of San Antonio, the community, and its rich and diverse cultures.
the story of this community
Community is a treasured feeling amongst people—people connected by shared experiences, beliefs, and dreams.
Throughout history, a crown of flowers has been symbolic of hope, peace, and love; the base of a crown is a circle—a symbol of unity and wholeness.
Today, ladies of all ages wear crowns of flowers to celebrate Fiesta and
their community.
revealing their story
The story of this community and hospital is shared with a crown of flowers featuring native flowers that symbolize the heart of this new hospital. One by one, flowers were added to the crown to reveal the story of this hospital, their community, and hope—beginning with the Texas Bluebonnet.
Look closely at the design of this glass painting; the circle is not closed— because a community of hope remains open.
sharing their story
George B. Hernandez Jr., JD, President and Chief Executive Officer, welcomes the community of San Antonio at the opening.
Community of Hope is their story, inspired by one of their own and created with glass—it is their story to share with their community.
A garden of gratitude—thanking our wounded healers
Created by contemporary glass artist Terri Albanese, A Garden of Gratitude is an art exhibition of original glass paintings
that symbolizes the heart and soul of our hospital workers.
Although silent, flowers speak a language of their own—they can speak louder than words,
as they evoke powerful emotions through their color, shape, and scent.
In centuries past, flowers were used to convey messages that women could not say aloud.
Today, in this exhibition, Terri is using flowers to convey a message of gratitude.
Her glass paintings feature flowers that symbolize the attributes shared by our healthcare workers—
resilience, inner strength, hope, courage, compassion, self-sacrifice, and dedication.
Stop just for a moment and take a breath
A Garden of Gratitude is an exhibition of Terri's glass paintings, to thank our healthcare workers for all they gave during COVID-19.
an exhibition two years in the making
The exhibition opened in 2022 at Mount Carmel East Hospital and traveled to University Hospitals-Cleveland and the University of Kentucky Medical Center through March 2023.
we all benefit
Healthcare facilities have recognized the importance of providing healing and aesthetically pleasing environments for their patients, families and staff.
patients are the greatest beneficiaries of art.
“If an art installation gets a patient out of his room or paintings take a person’s mind off their pain and lowers their stress levels, the art isn’t just decorative anymore. It’s part of the entire model of care.” —Dr. Lisa Harris,
family and friends benefit
Family and friends of patients spend time sharing and experiencing art that is created to bring hope during times of uncertainty.
Medical Staff
Original commission art can foster a calming environment—offering a soothing respite from the daily challenges experienced by medical professionals.
The James—Bringing Healing and Bringing Hope
During Terri’s exhibition at The James Art Gallery, within The James Comprehensive Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University Medical Center, she had the privilege of meeting people who were trying to find hope in a time of uncertainty—people who are in the midst of the fire.
The reaction she saw in others, both in their stories and with unspoken words touched her deeply.
Whether she creates a glass painting to bring hope to those who are facing life’s challenges, to warmly welcome visitors into a public space, or to bring joy to a family within their home—Terri creates glass paintings to awaken emotions that inspire hope and uplift others.
the healing power of art
When patients are able to feel joy and comfort, rather than depression and stress, their emotional wellbeing can have a positive effect on their
healing time.
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Giving Light
Springfield Medical Center
Healthcare facilities are devoting special spaces and budgets for original art to benefit their patients and their staff.
Terri worked with Senior Designers with Spellman Brady & Company, St. Louis, Missouri on this commission art piece for their client.
Giving Light was created as an unspoken means to bring hope to those who walk through these Chapel doors.
lifted Up in Triumph - Nationwide Children's Hospital
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, located in Columbus, Ohio, commissioned Lifted Up in Triumph,
a glass painting for their new, state-of-the-art Conference and Simulation Center.
The Process
Terri began this process the same way she begins all commission pieces. She met with the client to get their ideas—this is a collaboration: the client’s inspiration, her design. She was deeply moved when she learned the hospital chose butterflies as their corporate symbol—butterflies symbolize “the triumph after the struggle”. This powerful message became her inspiration for creating Lifted Up in Triumph.
After learning more about the senior project manager's design philosophy and inspiration, she developed a concept that would support this philosophy—it included a flower indigenous to their area, one that attracts butterflies, and one that represents the heart of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
The Heart of Nationwide Children's Hospital
She chose to tell this story with bright, playful white coneflowers, against a clear, midafternoon sky with dreamy clouds. Coneflowers are indigenous to the area, they attract all types of butterflies,
and most importantly, they represent the heart of the hospital - white coneflowers symbolize healing and strength.
this is the triumph
The story begins with the white coneflower on the left of the glass painting. Its petals are wilting— symbolizing the struggle the patients and families face when a child is ill. As your eye moves to the right, you’ll see the petals beginning to lift up on each of the flowers—symbolizing the healing that takes place with great care and with time.
The triumph is found in the coneflower at the top right—with petals fully lifted. This coneflower symbolizes the strength found through healin—this is the triumph.
This is Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
this inspired this
"When I first saw this painting, Sunflowers in the Windstorm, it immediately captivated me and continues to be one of my favorite paintings at the Columbus Museum of Art. Not only was this painting breathtaking, I
saw it as a symbol of hope. I can't tell you how many times I've stood in front of this painting and each time my soul was stirred.
The Darkness
Sunflowers in the Windstorm was painted in 1943 in the midst of World War II, by German impressionist Emil Nolde—an artist persecuted by the Nazis. I saw sunflowers bending low and grieving with sorrow, and yet not broken. I saw a dark and ominous sky, and yet on the horizon, there is a gleam of light. I saw that in the darkest of times it is the light, as dim as it may be that brings hope.
The Light
In 2019 we learned the truth—Nolde was not persecuted by the Nazis, he was a Nazi. As I pondered this horrific truth, I found myself with many questions. Could I really love this painting again? Why did the sunflowers not break? Why was there light on the horizon? What was in his heart? In his lifetime, did he ever find the true light?
I have the answer to one of these questions. Yes, I can love this painting again. I can marvel at the beauty of this painting and share its story—that in time light will reveal the truth and overcome darkness." —Terri
light in bloom
The story about Sunflowers in the Windstorm inspired Terri to create Light in Bloom—a glass art painting with sunflowers that are boldly standing with joy and hope, as they are embraced by the light.
In light we find hope
with all boldness
With All Boldness is a glass art painting commissioned by a loving husband for his wife. When she courageously completed her chemotherapy and radiation treatments for breast cancer, he wanted to give her a gift to remind her of her strength through this journey.
He had something specific in mind—a peony, as peonies are her favorite flower.
Terri spent time understanding the origin and symbolism of a peony for this commission art piece—and how to connect a peony with this woman and her experience. She was amazed to learn that in the Eastern culture peonies are a symbol of courage. So she titled the piece—With all Boldness.
After presenting the concept to the client, he was moved to write a poem for his wife. This became part of his healing. This is the underlying healing power of art. He titled it With All Boldness. See his poem to the right.
With All Boldness
With all boldness a river of black invades me
Doubts and fears float in its current
My tomorrows now hide in dark waters.
With all boldness my doctors wade in
They know this river, they know its bends
My body and mind float in their hands.
With all boldness my spirit prays
For sparkling waters my eyes can’t see
A braver me as yet unknown.
With all boldness my flower blooms
From mud, invisible air, cleansing rain
Beauty grows alongside the black river.
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Interwoven. spring + hope
With Spring comes light, with light hope.
Just as Spring is the bridge between the barren darkness of winter and the abundant warm sunlight of summer—Hope is the bridge between darkness and light.
Inspired by the hope of Spring, white tulips are stunningly beautiful flowers that symbolize hope and pure and perfect love—they also carry with them a message of forgiveness.
And forgiveness is yet another bridge.
Cards of Hope
Terri simply asked herself - If this is what I do, what can I do?
Terri believes in the underlying healing power of art. This is what she does—she creates glass paintings to awaken emotions within us—emotions that uplift our spirits to bring hope.
Her Question.
"As an artist, what can I do to thank and encourage the wounded healers during this pandemic we're facing? In my own little way, what can I do for those who are selfless, tirelessly working,
making personal sacrifices within our hospitals, while we are safe within our homes;
those who are away from their families, while taking care of ours;
those who are holding the hands of our loved ones, when we cannot?
How can I say thank you and invite them to stop, if only for a moment, and take a breath—
to find a moment of peace?"
The Answer.
And the answer came. It was so simple.
Simply create a Card of Hope to send to those who are on the frontlines of hope—with a message to awaken emotions to help replenish their souls.
She created You are the bridge. cards. Based upon her glass painting titled "Interwoven. Spring + Hope" she created and printed cards to give to healthcare, first-responders, and essential workers within her community. As the word spread, more than 30,000 cards were distributed - here are just a few of the places.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Mount Carmel Hospitals – Central Ohio
OhioHealth Hospitals + Affiliates – throughout Ohio
Grant Medical Center - Columbus
Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Columbus
Henry Ford Hospital – Detroit
AdventHealth – Altamonte Springs, Florida
New Jersey Medical Center – Jersey City
VA New York Harbor Healthcare
Vascular Healthcare – Miami Florida
The offices of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and Dr. Amy Acton
Chaplains, Ministers, Priests, Catholic nuns, and sisters throughout our country
Group homes and assisted living facilities
Hospice Organizations
University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio
Fire and Police Departments within central Ohio