When you think of a hospital, an innovative art program probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Late last week, Sec. Susan Kluttz saw first-hand how the two can actually work very well together. The Secretary visited the North Carolina Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill with Gov. Pat McCrory and First Lady Ann McCrory as part of Childhood Cancer Awareness Day. Childhood cancer awareness is a cause that is close to the heart of the First Lady.
Sec. Kluttz and Gov McCrory with Dr. Bill Adamson, division chief of pediatric surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief at North Carolina Children's Hospital
While at the hospital, Sec. Kluttz saw how the innovative staff there is using art in some pretty neat ways to help comfort children during times of suffering, including:
- Giving younger patients an outlet to express themselves in constructive ways. A great example is an exhibition created by teen oncology patients who were hospitalized for a prolonged period. The teens used the hospital as their canvass and captured their experiences there with digital cameras. They got to express themselves through their photography, edit their work, and then compile and discuss it, creating a cathartic and educational experience for both the teens and their caregivers.
- Using art to set a positive tone for the hospital environment. Artists and sisters-in-law Earle Kluttz Thompson and Raines Thompson have wrapped the walls of the N.C. Children’s Hospital in colorful, bright murals of animals and other scenes that serve to lift spirits of the hospital’s sick children in a positive way during potentially frightening or painful experiences.
- Bringing kids comfort in tough times. The colorful murals in the hallway depict animals complete and in silhouette to catch a child’s attention to wonder why and to think about the animals instead of their journey. A small tree frog tucked in here; a bird passing overhead through bright blue sky and fluffy clouds there. Even a mural which challenges the patients to name all of the official flora and fauna of our great state. This is a wonderful example of the impact of art – that it serves a purpose to bring comfort to sick children.
“We are pleased that the Governor and the First Lady were able to include Secretary Kluttz in their visit to the NC Children’s Hospital,” said Dr. Bill Adamson, Chief of Pediatric Surgery. “ Having the Secretary of Cultural Resources along helps acknowledge the importance of Art and culture in the healing process here in this unique, wonderful place. The tour impressed everyone that taking care of sick children requires a different approach, a different tone. Our art plays an important role in creating that tone.” Click here to see more images of the visit.