Photo: Ms. Bonnal and Keely Hammen
The calming and healing power of art as well as the opportunity to change the scenery in a hospital room has students in Ms. Jenny Bonnall’s advanced painting class at South Central Calhoun High School working for the patients at Stewart Memorial Community Hospital (SMCH) in Lake City. Bonnall was approached by Director of Nursing, Zacharina Winker, and Med Surge/ICU Manager, Jill Webb, about brightening patient rooms through new artwork on the ceiling tiles over the beds. Bonnall said the students enthusiastically embraced the project, she even had kids from other classes volunteer to participate. She said this also opened up a conversation about themes. “We talked about joyful themes,” Bonnall said. “As a patient in the hospital, what would make you happy to look at?” They also talked about the age of patients and what might bring joy to those in different age groups. The conversation resulted in a variety of ideas, from rural scenes and dinosaurs to cityscapes and sunsets. “The team at SMCH is thrilled with the results,” said Winker. “Patients are going to be happy to see the tiles above their heads.” A photo of the students and their tiles can be found below.
