Things are looking up with new student-led art project
Currently seeking sponsors
A new grassroots project launched in collaboration with the Department of Education and Learning and a group of McMaster University medical students at aims to brighten the days of patients, families and healthcare workers at St. Joe’s.
The inventive project introduces art in patient spaces in an unexpected place – the ceiling. A group of approximately 30 medical students have transformed ceiling tiles into beautiful works of art, meeting after class in any spare moments they could find. Following weeks of hard work, the students’ ceiling tiles are now ready to be displayed, with the help of a donation to the Hospital.
The idea, led by second year medical students Tara Behroozian and Sanjum Hunjan, emerged from an interest in how art positively impacts patients, loved ones and healthcare workers.
“There’s increasing evidence showing artwork in healthcare settings promotes wellness, creates a more welcoming environment and can even help decrease anxiety,” explained Tara. “We felt that this was a perfect way to give back to a leading provider of healthcare in our community, while also providing a much-needed opportunity for our fellow students to unwind and connect with each other while working on this project,” added Sanjum.
Ceiling tiles were chosen as the unconventional canvas as a way to bring smiles to patients’ faces as they lay in their hospital beds receiving care. The beautiful designs include messages of hope, resilience and strength and incorporate nature, animals and splashes of colour into what’s normally seen as a sterile-looking space.
The completed ceiling tiles can be viewed online here. A $120 donation to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation helps to cover the costs of art materials, ceiling tiles and installation, while also supporting the highest priority needs of the Hospital. Tiles can be sponsored in honour or in memory of a loved one, or simply as a way to give back to St. Joe’s. Donors can select from more than 20 pre-painted ceiling tiles, and pick a preferred area of the hospital where they would like the ceiling tile installed. A small engraved plaque will be placed on the ceiling tile to share information about the artwork and the artist, as well as the donor.
For more information about the project, and how to sponsor a tile, click here.