A new art exhibit featuring paintings from a local artist has made its debut at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital.

The Healing Arts Exhibit is intended to enhance and beautify the hospital for patients, families and staff. The exhibit features paintings by Vincent Takas, a local artist who captures iconic Southern California images in lively watercolor. The installation, which is open through December, is the first in an ongoing series from artists in the Glendale and La Cañada Flintridge community.

“Our new exhibit is one way of providing comprehensive care and a nurturing environment for patients and their families,” said Keith Hobbs, CEO of USC-VHH.

Takas is a 25-year resident of Glendale who acquired his love of painting while working at the Walt Disney Company, which offered employees free classes. He combined his talent with a passion for travel, often creating paintings based on photographs from around Southern California and his time abroad. He often chooses everyday scenes, such as people walking past the Alex Theatre or Montrose clock, and paints them in a timeless way, so that the image could have been captured last week or a century ago.

“It’s an honor and privilege to share my artwork with patients, families and the wider USC Verdugo Hills Hospital community,” Takas said in the exhibit’s artist statement. “I hope my paintings will help fulfill the mission of the USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Healing Arts program.”