Marathon Health Launches Public Art Project

Collaboration with GANGGANG will place original murals in health centers in six cities

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Jan 12, 2022, 07:03 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Marathon Health, a provider of employer-sponsored healthcare services, is launching a public art project in its Network health centers in six cities. The project is a collaboration with GANGGANG, a cultural development firm whose mission is to create beautiful and equitable places by activating the creative economy across cities.

GANGGANG has set a goal that 75 percent of artists in every project are of color as a new model toward equity in the arts.

The mural at this suburban Indianapolis Marathon Health location ties together the themes of calm and strength for patients and staff to enjoy.

Marathon Health featured original art in its very first health center but wanted to provide more opportunity to local artists as it scales its Network model to additional cities across the country. It will install local murals in its Network health centers in Charlotte; Cincinnati; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; and Orlando over the next year. The art will be designed to foster a serene environment at the health centers and reflect each city's individual personality.

The Network locations are shared by multiple employers in a metro area and located in popular retail settings that are close to home and work. Each location creates a unique opportunity to connect with patients through public art.

"Overall health is not just the absence of disease - it's about achieving a sense of wellbeing in mind, spirit and physical health," said Marathon Health Chief Marketing Officer Shelly Towns. "Our health care model is based on trust and the opportunity to build that relationship starts the second you engage with us. When you enter our health center, we want it to feel different because it is different. Art is a great way to reinforce that. I've had the opportunity to work with Mali and Alan on several community projects and have been so impressed by the impact they've had through GANGGANG."

"It's refreshing to know institutions like Marathon Health understand the relationship between art and health," said GANGGANG Co-Founder Alan Bacon. "It's a wonderful opportunity to show that art can change minds and outcomes."

GANGGANG is utilizing its network to find local artists in each city. The organization worked with artist Amiah Mims on the first piece for the collaboration at Marathon Health's location at the Olivia in the suburbs of Indianapolis.

"Amiah is one of those artists that can beautifully connect the themes of both strength and calm," said GANGGANG Co-Founder and Executive Director Mali Jeffers. "On one end it feels a little triumphant, a little victorious – it feels like overcoming. The muted colors, smooth lines and curves offer some calm. It offers both ends of that spectrum and ties them together nicely."

About Marathon Health

Marathon Health partners with employers to deliver a healthcare experience that's convenient and focused on driving real behavior change, resulting in better health outcomes and financial savings. Employees have access to onsite, Network and virtual health centers that deliver advanced primary care. Marathon Health was named Best in KLAS 2021 and 2020 for its excellence in Worksite Health Services. For more information, please visit www.marathon-health.com.

About GANGGANG

GANGGANG is a cultural development firm on a mission to create beautiful, equitable places by activating the creative economy. For more information, visit ganggangculture.com or follow them on social media @ganggangculture.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Shepherd, 317-442-1674, [email protected]

SOURCE Marathon Health