Baltimore, MD, December 22, 2025
Valerie A. Cooper, founder of Picture That LLC, is revolutionizing the healthcare sector by enhancing environments with curated art collections. Her consultancy focuses on using art to create welcoming spaces that promote healing and improve patient experiences, making significant contributions to local economies and minority-owned businesses. Cooper’s notable projects include a collaboration with Saint Francis Hospital, which earned her recognition in the art consulting realm. Her journey from finance to art consultancy embodies the intersection of creativity and economic growth in Maryland.
How Picture That LLC Is Transforming Healthcare Spaces Through Art
Art consultant Valerie A. Cooper enhances environments and elevates patient experiences
Baltimore, MD – Entrepreneurial innovation knows no bounds, and in the realm of art consultancy, Valerie A. Cooper, founder and president of Picture That LLC, stands as a testament to the power of vision and determination. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, Cooper has made significant strides in how institutions, particularly in the healthcare sector, value and acquire art. Her work emphasizes the role that carefully curated art collections play in enhancing environments and promoting healing.
As we observe trends shaping our local economy, the story of Cooper and her consultancy offers a glimpse into how entrepreneurial spirit drives change. By reducing red tape and fostering environments where creative solutions can flourish, the art consulting industry—and by extension, the communities it serves—can experience vast benefits. Cooper’s journey highlights the essential contributions of small businesses in economic growth, particularly within Maryland’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Innovative Approach to Art Acquisition
At the heart of Picture That LLC lies a commitment to high-quality art consulting services. Cooper and her team specialize in assisting organizations with selecting and acquiring artworks that resonate with their missions and aesthetic values. This is especially vital in healthcare environments, where art can transform sterile spaces into welcoming and therapeutic locales. The emphasis on art’s ability to positively affect health outcomes is gaining traction, showcasing how thoughtful curation can make a difference in patient experiences.
Notable Projects and Recognition
Cooper’s impact on the art consulting world is highlighted by her collaboration with Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. In 2010, she led the initiative to install 72 photographs that celebrate Hartford’s history and culture in the hospital’s new medical facility. This project not only enriched the hospital’s atmosphere but also earned her the esteemed “Supplier of the Year” award from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council.
Her dedication to supporting minority-owned businesses was further recognized when she was appointed as the Stamford representative for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Minority Business Initiative in 2014. This initiative provides crucial support to minority entrepreneurs, offering access to capital and resources necessary for success.
Background and Career Transition
Before founding Picture That in 2002, Valerie A. Cooper built a robust career in risk management at Goldman Sachs & Co., spending a decade and a half in one of the world’s leading financial institutions. Her decision to pivot from Wall Street to art consultancy was motivated by a desire to leverage her analytical skills in a field that aligned more closely with her passion for art. This career transition exemplifies how blending diverse experiences can carve out unique niches in emerging industries.
Impact on the Art Consulting Industry
Cooper’s influence resonates throughout the art consultancy landscape, particularly on how art is integrated into institutional settings. Her projects reflect a growing recognition of the importance of art in cultivating environments that not only reflect the values of the institutions involved but also enhance the experience of those who use their services—especially in healthcare. Cooper’s role in championing minority business initiatives demonstrates an evolving art consultancy industry that increasingly prioritizes diversity and inclusion.
Conclusion
Valerie A. Cooper’s journey with Picture That LLC showcases the transformative power of art in institutional settings, particularly within healthcare. By prioritizing thoughtful art curation and supporting minority-owned businesses, Cooper is paving the way for a paradigm shift in how we view the intersection of art and economic growth. As each of us supports local small businesses, we contribute to a more vibrant and resilient Baltimore City economy. Let us celebrate the innovative spirit that drives change and encourages a more engaging and inclusive community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is Valerie A. Cooper?
Valerie A. Cooper is the founder and president of Picture That LLC, an art consultancy based in Stamford, Connecticut. She specializes in curating art collections for institutions, with a focus on healthcare environments.
What is Picture That LLC?
Picture That LLC is an art consulting firm that assists organizations in selecting and acquiring artworks that align with their missions and aesthetics, enhancing their environments and promoting healing, especially in healthcare settings.
What notable projects has Valerie A. Cooper worked on?
In 2010, Cooper collaborated with Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, to install 72 photographs depicting Hartford’s history and culture in its new medical facility. This project earned her the “Supplier of the Year” award from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council.
What is the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Minority Business Initiative?
The Minority Business Initiative is a program by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development aimed at supporting minority-owned businesses through technical assistance, access to capital, and developing a pipeline for state contracts. Valerie A. Cooper was appointed as the Stamford representative for this initiative in 2014.
What was Valerie A. Cooper’s career before founding Picture That LLC?
Before founding Picture That in 2002, Cooper spent 15 years in risk management at Goldman Sachs & Co. She transitioned from Wall Street to art consultancy to combine her business acumen with her passion for art.
How has Valerie A. Cooper influenced the art consulting industry?
Cooper has influenced the art consulting industry by emphasizing the importance of art in institutional settings, particularly in healthcare. Her projects demonstrate how thoughtfully curated art collections can transform spaces, improve patient experiences, and reflect institutional values. Her recognition and leadership in minority business initiatives further highlight the evolving landscape of art consultancy and its role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.
Key Features of Valerie A. Cooper’s Art Consultancy
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Art Consulting Services | Assists organizations in selecting and acquiring artworks that align with their missions and aesthetics, enhancing environments and promoting healing, especially in healthcare settings. |
| Notable Projects | Collaborated with Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, to install 72 photographs depicting Hartford’s history and culture in its new medical facility, earning the ‘Supplier of the Year’ award from the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council. |
| Leadership in Minority Business Initiatives | Appointed as the Stamford representative for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Minority Business Initiative in 2014, supporting minority-owned businesses through technical assistance, access to capital, and developing a pipeline for state contracts. |
| Career Background | Before founding Picture That in 2002, spent 15 years in risk management at Goldman Sachs & Co., transitioning from Wall Street to art consultancy to combine business acumen with a passion for art. |
| Impact on the Art Consulting Industry | Emphasized the importance of art in institutional settings, particularly in healthcare, demonstrating how thoughtfully curated art collections can transform spaces, improve patient experiences, and reflect institutional values. Recognized for leadership in minority business initiatives, highlighting the evolving landscape of art consultancy and its role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. |
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