hicago, Illinois, provides the setting for the 2006 Art Exhibit. To this end, the Committee on Art Exhibits has chosen the theme “My Hometown” for this year’s display. It seemed fitting in view of the location of our headquarters (in neighboring Park Ridge), in a sense, the “hometown” of our specialty.

The concept of having a different theme for each annual exhibit began about 10 years ago. With the exception of last year’s centennial logo, all have been nonmedical in nature and loosely related to the location of the meeting. Themes have included “Deep in the Heart” (Dallas), “Down by the Riverside” (New Orleans), “Flower Power” (San Francisco), “Fountain of Youths” (Orlando) and “Desert Light” (Las Vegas), among others. The nonmedical nature of the theme reflects the fact that nearly all of the art submitted by members of ASA and their family members represents recreation rather than occupation.
The exhibit is in its 39th year. Each year it has proven to be a wonderful opportunity for ASA members and their families to show their creative, artistic side, which rarely pops up in the rather mundane world of medicine. The display has become an oasis — a place for attendees to escape from the hectic rat race of scientific sessions, refresher courses, visits with exhibitors, committee meetings and the like.

Exhibitors are invited to enter works based on the theme as well as the more traditional venues. In addition to entries in the “My Hometown” theme, the display will include the traditional categories: painting in oil, acrylics, watercolors, tempera and gouache; traditional and digital photography in both color and black and white; graphic works on paper, including drawings, prints and pastels; sculpture and crafts, including needlework, weaving, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, construction and metal work; the popular junior exhibit (for those under the age of 18); and literature. We also will accept “walk-in” art (with the exception of literature) as long as it arrives at the site of the exhibit prior to 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 14.

We are again fortunate to have found three excellent judges who will review all entries.

Michael Bonesteel is an art historian, art critic and author who lives in Chicago. He has lectured extensively and has appeared in many radio and television programs.

Mary Beyer is an art curator with varied interests, including drawing, painting, photography and art history. She is pursuing a graduate degree in art history at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Marcia Day Childress, Ph.D., will judge the entries in the literature category. Dr. Childress is Associate Professor of Medical Education and Associate Director of the Center for Humanism in Medicine at the University of Virginia. Her interests include the healing power of art, creative writing and choral music.

Finally, as chair of the committee, I ask you to consider submitting a suggestion for the theme of the exhibit to be displayed at the 2007 Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The committee will consider all input and thanks you in advance for your interest.

William P. Arnold III, M.D., is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia.