THE JEWEL OF WESTCHESTER GALLERY
at MONTEFIORE MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL
Art in healthcare settings fosters a calming environment that can reduce patient stress and support emotional well‑being during treatment. It also enhances the overall patient experience by offering positive visual engagement that contributes to a more supportive healing atmosphere. - Regginald Jordan, the Vice President of Clinical Services and Executive Director of Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital.
Our StoryAn innovative rotating exhibition space located at Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital; The Jewel of Westchester Art Gallery is curated by The Fine Art Program and Collection at Montefiore Einstein. Founded in 2026, the gallery exhibits original artwork and is open to all artists living and/or working in Mount Vernon and Westchester County. This rotating exhibition program seeks to enrich the lives of the patients, caregivers, associates, students, faculty and the community’s understanding of contemporary art in a medical center context.
The Jewel of Westchester Art Gallery strives to support Montefiore Einstein’s mission to heal, teach, discover and to advance the health of the communities we serve. Exhibitions feature a wide range of artwork with diversity in theme, medium, and execution that appeals to a wide audience while also being respectful of cultural backgrounds and the Mount Vernon community. Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital sponsors three exhibitions annually.
Feature Exhibition
Lauren Camara, Artist
LAYER BY LAYER
When working on her art, Lauren integrates her technical skills and artistic sensibility to create distinctive, graphic-driven work. She cuts all of the paper by hand using a X-acto knife, a skill she learned while mocking up graphics design work.
Also Currently Featured:
Blanka Amezkua, Artist
Composite Images of the Flowers in the 13 Chapters in the Codex
Curated by Laura Alvarez and BXArts Factory
My creative work is driven by my profound interest in traditional techniques and personal, cultural concerns. My current project involves research I began at the Hispanic Society in 2021, expanded at Wave Hill in 2022 and continued during at Lost and Found Lab in Cos Cob during my residency in January 2023. After experiencing COVID-19, I learned of the existence of the Codex de la Cruz-Badiano or the Aztec Herbal book in the Hispanic Society’s library collection created in 1552. I am currently unearthing new ways to deepen my work as I learn more about this fascinating book. The information it preserves is directly connected to a pre-1492 way of life - an ancient cosmovision of magic, deep reverence for the earth, and an understanding of its alchemy. I am expanding my knowledge about native plants mentioned in the codex and representing the illustrations found within in an exciting new ways.
