Unique Arts-in-Healthcare program from Class Acts Arts

In the fall of 2012, Class Acts Arts artist Carien Quiroga conducted a mosaic mural-making residency for ill children in the pediatric unit at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH).   During the residency Carien faced many challenges, as she adapted the process of artistic creation to the needs of patients and the hospital environment.  “Something I had not anticipated was the slow pace as the children were often weak, low energy and without much strength.  Quick activities that I took for granted were at times painfully unhurried,” reported Quiroga.

More importantly, the project was a welcomed distraction from the pain of illness and isolation many of the children experienced.  As Carien put it, “Working on this mural gave the patients an opportunity to just be kids and do something fun!”

To read more about Carien Quiroga’s extraordinary journey,  go to the Arts-in-Healthcare Residency profile of Rainbow Wishes
The article includes contributions from arts-in-healthcare expert Dr. Judy Rollins and MGUH Child Life Coordinator Linda Kim.

A narrated slide presentation of the project by Quiroga can be found at http://www.classactsarts.org/artist/carien-quiroga

Rainbow Wishes was made possible by a grant from the Bare Necessities Foundation.