UTRECHT ART SUPPLIES DETROIT FUNDRAISER

I recently learned that Utrecht Art Supplies located in Detroit, where I have been employed on and off for over ten years, is having an in store fundraising campaign for Children's Hospital. Customers can make monetary donations to the hospital and their names are placed on to a cut-out snowman in the store. The money raised will go towards the purchase of art supplies for art projects in the hospital. Donations can be made up through Christmas.

How great that Utrecht Art Supplies Detroit chose Children's Hospital as their Detroit fundraiser!

 


 

LAUGHTER IN THE HALL

One of the things that struck me the most while working on the mural was the non-stop humor by all hospital employees as they walked up and down the hall.

One example, that had me doubled over in laughter, was when after meeting Doctor Wo I asked an employee what Doctor Wo did in the hospital and before they could answer, Doctor Wo who was way down at the end of the hall answered in a booming voice, "I am an anesthesiologist I pass gas."

Needless to say, I had to stop painting tiny sand pebble dots of paint until I had regained my composure.

As the saying goes, "Laughter is the best medicine!" 

GIRL SCOUTS AND MONET PAPER MOSAIC

December 2nd, 2011

Drove with Stephanie from Children's Hospital in Detroit to a school in the Birmingham West Bloomfield area to work with twenty 4th grade Girl Scouts on a Monet paper cut-out mosaic that when finished will be displayed in Children's Hospital. Grace Serra, Art Advisor of Children's Hospital joined us at the school.

What a great experience working with the girls, Stephanie, Grace, and their Girl Scout leader Michelle on this large and colorful project. It warms the heart that it was art being made by children for children. The girls once again brought home the magic of children's art, working from Stephanie's sketch, and a basic layout on black foam core. The girls took the project and ran with it!

UNEXPECTED!

While working on the mural this past Friday, November 2nd, 2011 I noticed something unusual in the hallway. An adolescent boy ( approximately 15 years of age) was wheeled down the hall wearing an orange jump suit with a blanket covering his lap. I watched as he stood up from the wheelchair at the parking structure end of the hallway. His hands were cuffed in front at waist level. The orange jump suit had struck me as out of place. Shortly after this, another young man, blanket over hands was wheeled in the direction of the emergency room.

 I was unaware that Juvenile Detention patients would be cared for at the hospital. I never really thought about it, I guess presuming that their holding location would have full medical facilities.

The hallway we are painting in is non stop action filled with a multitude of happenings!

JOB SHADOWING HOSPITAL PHOTOGRAPHER

I know one of the hospital staff photographers, having met him while part of a College for Creative Studies collaborative painting project. The painting hangs in the Cardiology Department of Children's Hospital. He photographed all of the paintings that hang in the examining rooms and the artists who created them. This installation was completed in 2009.

I have spoken with him and Grace Sera, Art Advisor of Children's Hospital about Stephanie and I accompanying him as he photographs surgical procedures in the operating room. I am interested in this unique experience as I am an avid photographer having freelanced with the Detroit News from 2004 to present. And also having received a grant from National Geographic in 1998 to work with children using one-time-use panoramic cameras on the grounds of their orphanage ( St. Vincent and Sarah Fischer) located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The site is now closed.

I will blog about this hospital photography experience at a future date as the details are still being worked out. Initially, I was not even aware that a hospital would have staff photographers in house. Makes sense tho when you consider malpractice lawsuit possibilities, etc.

GIRL SCOUT MONET PAPER MOSAIC PROJECT

Stephanie and I met with Grace Sera, Art Advisor for Children's Hospital to discuss creating a paper mosaic in the style of Monet waterlilies with area Girl Scouts. The completed artwork is to hang in the Pediatrics Department of the hospital. We are scheduled to work with the girls on Friday, December 2nd, 2011.

Stephanie created a colorful marker sketch as a working idea for the paper mosaic project. Grace and I both loved the design. Grace is now going to order all the supplies needed for the project. I am really looking forward to working with the girls!

Friday, November 2nd, 2011

MURAL AND OTHER HOSPITAL DOINGS

Stephanie and I continued painting the mural, this time adding Seurat like dots of color to create sand bars. Seaweed is going to be painted next in order to bring the wall into a complete visual experience for all who pass through this area of the hospital.

We also got to meet two art teachers from Orion, Michigan area elementary schools (3rd and fifth grade). Their students created many of the ceramic sea creatures that are a part of the hallway mural.

Friday, November 4th, 2011

JOURNEY UNDER THE SEA MURAL

Painted areas of the mural with Stephanie (most importantly air bubbles were added with paint so that ceramic creatures could visually breath). In the hallway that connects the parking structure with the emergency room. The hallway is a buzz of activity with staff locker rooms, nurses, doctors, medical photographers, support staff, friends, families, and of course, lots of children!

Everyone loves the mural! It is extremely tactile with children and adults touching and talking about creatures as they navigate the space. It is a real topic of conversation.

Healing Garden Reading Nook

Here is a detail shot ( I believe taken by Grace Sera) of the Reading Nook in the hospital Healing Garden.

Children's Hospital Parking Structure Artwork

Grace took me on a tour of the hospital parking structure. Each of the thirteen floors has a different animal displayed on a wall so children and their families can easily remember what floor they are parked on, I.E.
2 Hippo. Joel Tanis of Holland, Michigan designed brightly colored animal murals which were then turned into ceramic tile art by Pewabic in Detroit, Michigan.

We also dodged raindrops as we quickly walked through a very beautiful and whimsical "Healing Garden" located behind the hospital. The garden was designed by the Albert Kahn Architectural firm. A recent addition to the garden is the "Healing Gardens Reading Nook" designed and built by "Tork," Columbus, Ohio. I think it looks like a tree with peacock feathers in glass for leaves.!!!! Check out this garden - it is a delight for the eyes!

Special note: The Detroit Institute of Arts, Studio Art Department, conducts "Art in the Garden" every Friday during the summer. Children and their friends and families are welcome to create a planned art project in the "Healing Garden."

(Friday, September 23rd)

Ceramic Sea Creature Mural, Journey Under the Sea

First Meeting

I met Grace Sera, Art Advisor for Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit at the Detroit Institute of Art for a lunch meeting to discuss my Service Learning at the hospital.

Grace mentioned that a very important conference is to be held at the hospital in 2012 and that she would like me to assist in completing a few mural projects. The intention is to have the hospital looking its best for the conference. Grace excitedly mentioned that one of the key speakers, Richard Florida had said he would attend the conference.

Grace and I have know each other for many years having met while I worked at Utrecht Art Supplies in downtown Detroit.

I look forward, with great excitement, to a wonderful experience at Children's Hospital.

Welcome!

This blog will be covering my experiences at Children's Hospital located in downtown Detroit.