This community building/wellness mural will impact 160,000+ visitors a year!
From January 3rd -12th, 2024 my students painted a mural for the Sutter Health Care Center lobby, designed by my studio art class this fall. The mural measures over 300 square feet.
Students, patients, parents, local artists and Sutter employees all participated, making this truly a group endeavor. Over 50 people helped make this mural come into being. From the initial planning stage this summer to the design phase this fall to the execution of the mural in January.
Our goal this fall was to design a mural to elevate the mood of people entering the building who may feel sick, scared, anxious or stressed. That goal was achieved from the very 1st day we started to paint. Practically everyone who entered the building thanked the painters and told us that the mural brought a smile to their faces. Patients waiting for appointments enjoyed watching the process. We hope that this will jumpstart adding more art to medical facilities!
Here are some quotes from Sutter employees, student volunteers, patients and family members:
“Thank you all for putting this mural painting project together! I had the opportunity to thank the artists (while they were having lunch today in the boardroom), and I was able to share with them what a difference not only their art has made, but also their presence here in a group creating this together. I was so glad to catch them there in the lunch area, to let them know that many patients have mentioned how uplifting it is to see these beautiful young artists working together to make something beautiful that everyone can enjoy. One patient told me that seeing them working on the mural just completely changed the direction of her day (which was filled with chemotherapy, uncertainty, fear). I told those young folks to never underestimate the difference they have made for some very ill patients (and for all of us as well!). “
Again, thank you!
Sincerely,
Margie
Cancer Support Services
“Everybody seemed to be really happy, and grateful for the mural and for our work on it. A lot of people said that this is what the hospital needed, and a lot of people also spent time on it, looking at and pointing out all the little animals. Overall people really seemed to be intrigued by it and enjoyed it. Also I heard someone mention they really wished they saw more of what we as a school were doing in other places.” - Student Painter
“I noticed that a lot of people were happy and it brought a lot of smiles, I think it benefited the environment while we were painting it too and not just the final product.”-Student Painter
“I did interact with volunteers. I heard some people saying how they had gone through cancer treatment at this location and would have loved to see this mural in the lobby during that difficult time. They also commented on how amazing it is that people will now be able to look, explore, and interact during difficult and trying times.” -Student Painter
“I knew that a lot of people would ask what we were doing and admire the mural and be grateful, but still there were so many people coming up and saying thank you and coming to help, it was heartwarming.” -Student Painter
“It was really cool to work next to healthcare workers and see their artistic talents shine!” -Student Painter
“I was working on the water with my friend most of the four days, and it felt good, it felt like we were being part of something bigger than ourselves.”-Student Painter
“Thank you so much for getting all the children together to experience painting on a large scale and for the betterment of the community. You’re amazing!!” -Parent
“I’ve had a rough morning. You made me smile and relieved some of my anxiety.”- Patient
“I used to look at the floor when I entered this building and felt “blah”, now I feel happy.-Patient
“This should be ongoing!”- Patient
“So cheerful!”-Patient
“You people are amazing. It has been fun watching the progress.!”-Patient
“Thanks for livening this place up with color. It’s so drab otherwise.”-Patient
“Brings so much light to a dreary place.”- Patient