Creighton University is showcasing Blair Bunting: Journeys, Neurodivergence and Belonging. This month’s opening event, The Beauty of Autism — Visual Art and Poetry, leveraged the new exhibition to merge visual arts and poetry to explore the experiences of individuals with autism.
The exhibition, at the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Health Sciences Building at Park Central, embodies Creighton’s Jesuit mission to educate the whole person by integrating the arts and humanities into healthcare education, as well as Park Central’s commitment to the arts.
Located within the PHOENIX MEDICAL QUARTER at Park Central, the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus – Phoenix serves as an interdisciplinary hub where nearly 850 future healthcare professionals train to serve Arizona’s communities. As a partner to local healthcare providers and organizations, Creighton embraces a holistic approach to education, recognizing the profound connection between health, art, and human experience.
Curated by James Burns, Ph.D. and featuring the work of acclaimed photographer Blair Bunting — both of whom openly discuss their experiences living with autism — the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore neurodiversity through creative expression.
“Following the longstanding Jesuit tradition for humanistic inquiry and fostering understanding for those living on the margins, Creighton seeks to engage not only our students, but the wider community in these important conversations,” said Creighton University President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, Ph.D. “I am hopeful this installation will stoke even more meaningful engagements, partnerships and opportunities for creative expression.”
In addition to Bunting’s thought-provoking photography, the exhibition showcases original ekphrastic poetry — poems inspired by the visual artwork — written by Creighton student poets. The opening event took place October 15 and offered event attendees an interactive experience, including a poetry workshop led by Sheila Black as a part of her keynote address focusing on the power of poetry to illuminate unseen perspectives and cultivate compassion.
“We are pleased to welcome this extraordinary exhibit to Park Central and the Creighton campus,” said Sharon Harper, Chairman and CEO of Plaza Companies. “Park Central is about celebrating the arts and expanding the impact of healthcare, and this unique exhibition is an intersection of those two missions.”
The Creighton University Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Health Sciences Campus at Park Central in midtown Phoenix features a collection of a broad variety of artwork spanning multiple mediums and platforms. The artwork pays homage to Creighton’s history as well as the history and natural beauty of Arizona, while also spotlighting core principles of Jesuit values, creating an exceptional environment for learning for Creighton students. Special consideration was given to the inclusion of local artists in the building’s collection and celebrating the importance of healthcare in Arizona.
“The artwork showcased here beautifully captures the sense of place that makes Creighton University truly unique while celebrating local artists as well,” said Jon Stelzer, Executive Director of Development for Plaza Companies, who oversaw the building’s construction. “Creighton’s presence in Arizona is a significant addition, and it’s only fitting that we celebrate it with an art collection that highlights the excellence of this remarkable space.”
Plaza Companies and Tucson’s Holualoa Companies have teamed up to redevelop Park Central, once the city’s first large-scale shopping mall, into a vibrant nearly 500,000-square-foot bustling community destination ideal for playing, working, congregating, and celebrating the arts. Creighton’s Health Sciences Campus, opened in 2021, is a key part of the project’s revitalization and includes a curated collection of artwork throughout the facility.
The exhibition is open to both the Creighton community and the broader public. For more information, contact University Relations at: phxdevelopment@creighton.edu.