GRACIE SQUARE HOSPITAL
HILARY PECIS
CITY/STATE
New York, NY
LOCATION IN HOSPITAL
Young Adult Program Rooms
INSTALL DATE
2026
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ABOUT THE INSTALLATION
In early 2026, RxART is unveiled a site-specific installation by artist Hilary Pecis in the Young Adult/College Student unit at Gracie Square Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NY. The project features original work by Pecis that enlivens the hospital’s activity and group therapy rooms, where patients spend the majority of their time during their stay. Working from her studio in Los Angeles, Pecis painted this series of immersive, tranquil landscapes with the patients and team members of Gracie Square Hospital in mind. The serenity of the natural world in her work—the expansive view of the ocean and open sky set beyond a field of California poppies, the changing light over a lush mountain range, a footbridge set over a bed of vibrant plant life—is intended to improve the comfort and peacefulness of the space, bringing a sense of calmness from the outdoors inside and amidst the hustle and bustle of New York City.
"My hope is that these walls are not only enjoyable to look at, but that they provide a true escape for these young people," says Pecis. "Beauty can be healing, and I strongly believe that beautiful art can help heal as well."
The installation was made possible through generous support from Franck Giraud and Gonzague de Luze as well as Sarah Stein-Sapir and Gabriel Lopez.
ABOUT THE HOSPITAL
Gracie Square Hospital is New York City’s only free-standing hospital dedicated to behavioral health and has been a force in the ongoing battle to end the stigma of mental illness. The Young Adult Program at Gracie Square Hospital focuses on the specialized needs of young adults ages 18 to 25. The program goals include providing more effective treatment at an earlier stage in illness, establishing an aftercare plan to prevent relapse, and helping families understand diagnosis and treatment recommendations. On average, approximately 300 patients enter the Young Adult Program each year.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hilary Pecis (b. 1979, Fullerton, CA) is a figurative painter who lives and works in Los Angeles. In meticulously detailed works in acrylic on canvas, Pecis captures the urban and natural landscapes. She works from photographs and memory to create scenes that document the homes of friends or the natural world around her. Pecis earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from California College of the Arts, San Francisco and was the 2008 recipient of the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Murphy and Cadogan Fellowship.
