Paintings brighten hospital walls
Williamsville students donate 120 pieces
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Ballerinas, left, (artist unnamed) and the painting by Astha (last name withheld), above, were two of 120 pieces chosen to be part of the art show at Women and Children's Hospital. The first 62 paintings will be featured at the hospital on Saturday.

Unable to choose only 50 paintings, the Art Committee at Women and Children's Hospital selected 120 pieces from Williamsville School District students to be displayed on the hospital walls.

Barb Heller, an art committee member, said the paintings were so "fabulous" that 120 were chosen for an upcoming art show.

After being featured in the hospital's cafeteria for the show, the pieces are moved to one of the hospital walls to create an environment that is welcoming and therapeutic.

"The Williamsville work is fabulous. We can't wait to get it hung," Heller said.

Since the founding of the art committee, more than 250 paintings have been selected from area schools. The Sweet Home School District also has work showcased.

"It is making such a difference. The art work makes you smile," she said.

The committee was formed in October 2003 by Maureen Heimerl, director of Ambulatory Services, who wanted to make the hospital a more pleasant environment.

The committee worked with art teachers from Williamsville, asking them to submit their students' best work.

It was during an art show at the Amherst Museum of Williamsville students' pieces when Heller knew she wanted the district to be involved.

"I saw really great works, so I wrote down the teachers' names," Heller said.

One of those teachers was Denise Woods, an art teacher at Heim Middle School.

Involved in community service, Woods thought it was a great project to get involved in.

Woods said the reaction from the students was wonderful.

"Every single one of the students was nothing but excited about the opportunity to donate," Woods said, adding that the program is about children giving to children.

She added that the parents have been really excited about this opportunity for their children. The pieces chosen were "upbeat."

When it came time to select the 50 pieces accepted from each school, the art committee couldn't make the cuts.

"Based on their ages the work was phenomenal," Heimerl said. "Because there is such an incredible need in a big place with blank walls we decided to keep all the art selected and frame it."

The 62 pieces from the middle and high school students will be featured in a reception at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant St., off Elmwood Avenue in the City of Buffalo.

The second reception for elementary students will be held March 24.

Each student featured receives a certificate with their painting copied onto it.

All the students are invited with their families. Heller said the students are very excited about the art show and walk around saying, "I'm one of the artists."

After the pieces are showcased in the cafeteria they are moved to a wing in the hospital. The art committee's goal is to decorate each hallway, as well as the patients' rooms.

Heller said the staff is always asking when their hall will be done.

"Eventually, when the hospital is filled we'd love to have a traveling group of artwork," she said. "And we would have the long-term (patients) pick what they want in their room."

Each student's artwork can also be viewed on the Women & Children's Hospital Web site at www. wchob. org/ Art.