Interior Designer Jaan Ferree Presents at NC Arts for Health Conference and is Appointed to Asheville Public Art Board

ASHEVILLE, NC, October 01, 2010 (Press-News.org) Jaan Ferree, an interior designer based in Asheville, NC specializes in designing public spaces for healthcare, colleges, churches and retreats. Asheville City Council appointed Ferree to the Public Art Board. Her interior design ideas include work by Western North Carolina (WNC) artists and craftsmen.

North Carolina Arts for Health invited Ferree to speak at the Spirit of Place, Places of Spirit conference on October 16, 2010, co-sponsored by Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC). She will present an overview of her intentional process of creating healing environments for health care professionals, patients and families. In these sacred spaces, the public can meditate, nurture their spirits, and connect with the divine in a soothing environment. Participants will tour Mission Hospital chapels.

Ferree recently completed the interior design of Saint Joseph's Chapel, a three-year process bringing an interfaith focus to Mission Hospital chapels. To the right of the entrance, the Chapel of Mercy resembles a mini church design, with chairs, kneelers, pew and Stations of the Cross. A glass case across from this room holds symbols of various religions: Buddha, Shiva/Shakti, sage bundles and a feather, a Quran, prayer rug, and Islamic prayer beads and a Menorah. The chapel incorporates signatures of Ferree's work -- a labyrinth walk, journaling table, original stained glass pieces hanging from the skylight, an enlarged photograph of an apple tree in bloom, and a murmuring fountain to complete the overall feeling of calm and serenity.

"What drew us to Jaan was her inclusion of local artistry and nature in her design aesthetic, her experience in designing labyrinths, and her dedication to creating a space which invites all to enter and encounter the holy," commented Jerene Broadway, Staff Chaplain for Mission Hospital. "We were delighted to discover that her design and leadership embodied our vision to weave diverse religious traditions into a single tapestry," she added.

Ferree has designed indoor and outdoor labyrinths, meditation gardens and sacred interior spaces for churches and retreat centers, including Valle Crucis Conference Center, Davidson College and Carpe Diem Farms. She will design an outdoor pavilion for use as a meditation and yoga center at Horse Sense of the Carolinas, where equine therapy is practiced.

To view samples of Jaan Ferree's interior designs, or for a consultation, visit Intentional Designer, email jaan@intentionaldesigner.com or call 828-252-8718.

Jaan Ferree is an interior designer who specializes in healthcare, chapel design, yoga and meditation centers and retreats.