University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) is striking a chord as a proud partner of a guitar art installation created by local artist Cher Reynolds for Play Me Kingston, a new public art initiative celebrating the city's rich musical legacy.
Led by Downtown Kingston BIA, the project features artist-designed guitars displayed throughout the city in honour of the 10th anniversary of The Tragically Hip’s final concert.
For UHKF, partnering on one of the installations reflects its commitment to supporting the vibrant community that, in turn, helps strengthen local health care.
“This is an exciting community initiative that celebrates music, public art and Kingston’s incredible cultural legacy,” said Jeff Doner, UHKF's Outgoing Director, Marketing & Communications. “For us, it’s also a meaningful opportunity to show up in the community in a visible and creative way, while giving us an opportunity to connect with people beyond the walls of our hospitals. We're especially proud to support Cher's guitar because of the deeply personal connection her story has to health care in our community.”
That personal connection made UHKF's involvement especially meaningful for Cher.
Originally from British Columbia, Cher moved to Kingston as a teenager after her mother was referred to local hospitals for cancer treatment. Her mother continued receiving care here for the rest of her life, making Kingston a place forever intertwined with memories of compassion and exceptional care. So, the project is the perfect way to honour the city, her mother and those who cared for her.
“She received fantastic care and amazing support, and it left a lasting mark on my heart,” said Cher. “I feel very privileged to be part of this project. In some ways, it has come full circle.”
An accomplished fine artist, Cher drew inspiration from The Tragically Hip’s iconic song Bobcaygeon, to create an abstract guitar that reflects both Kingston's character and spirit. Her design incorporates a limestone-inspired background accented with gold, layered with musical imagery, and a heartbeat motif symbolizing the pulse of the city and the enduring role music and The Tragically Hip plays in bringing the community together.
Cher hopes the piece will captivate viewers and encourage them to look closer.
“I want people to really lean into this piece of art,” she said. “When they walk away, I hope they carry a piece of that experience with them.”
For UHKF, the project is about more than supporting a public art installation. It is another way to celebrate the community whose generosity makes exceptional health care possible. Every gift through UHKF helps advance patient care across Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) and Providence Care by supporting innovative equipment, programs and spaces that improve the lives of over 650,000 people across southeastern Ontario.
Once the Play Me Kingston installations are up, community members will be able to visit UHKF’s guitar on Brock Street outside of KHSC’s Hotel Dieu site, a prime location for those who frequent our hospitals, and have the opportunity to appreciate the artistry while having the opportunity to give back on the spot through interactive donation prompts.
