The healing power of - Cook Children's

Above left: London Kirchhefer’s painting, Entertainment Rainbow. Above right: London Kirchhefer uses music as aninfluence for her artwork.London paints almost every day and is very proud andhonored to have her art hang permanently atCook Children’s. “I don’t know where I’d be without mydoctors and nurses here,” she said.Bryan BakerMany dedicated and caring people have come tounderstand that art is sometimes the best therapy.Those who have worked diligently on the construction ofthe medical center have also become involved in the artinitiative. Bryan Baker, president of Baker Drywall, hasoverseen the installation of the walls of the expansion.Baker made a donation in support of this important project,“because it’s for a good cause. We want to support thechildren.”As the parent of an 18-month-old, Baker recently foundhimself at Cook Children’s Emergency Department with hisson. “Cook Children’s is the greatest place to be. We fell inlove with the way people are treated,” he said. “Having asick kid for a day is hard enough, but when kids spend themajority of their young lives in the hospital, it’s tough.”Baker knows from experience that Cook Children’s is aunique place for healing. He also knows that the walls of themedical center expansion are long, and that it will take thegenerous support of the community to fill them with color,texture and beauty.Even seeing art can have a healing effect. That’swhy Cook Children’s is providing a great venue for selfexpressionfor our patients and artists in the community.Jill Koss, director of Family Support Services, andShannon Jones, creative arts specialist at Cook Children’s,realize the great value of art as a healing therapy and seethe enormous opportunity to use the new space to createand view art. Because the scope of the project was so big,they partnered with American Art Resources of Houston tohelp develop a plan for art in the expanded space. AmericanArt Resources is a consulting firm which seeks to improvethe quality of health care experiences through art.Regardless of how long a patient and his/her family are atCook Children’s, it can easily become a second home. So, theoverall theme for art in the expansion is “My home” and eachfloor will have a unique identity within that theme. Some of thethemes that will come to life in the new patient floors include:» “My backyard,” where the art will convey a natural andplayful adventure with whimsical pictures of birds, armadillosand raccoons.» “My neighborhood,” the theme resembles a placewhere kids walk their pets, play sports and ride bikes.» “My pets,” whimsical and engaging pieces on the fourthfloor will depict kids with their pet rabbits, dogs and turtles.» “My retreat,” where peaceful and contemplative spaceswith calming watercolor art will encourage reflection.Art for the first floor will house pieces commissionedprimarily from local and Texas-based artists. Koss said it’simportant for patients and their families to walk intoCook Children’s and feel that this is a place for kids.Cook Children’s is a state-of-the-art medical facility wherethe staff understands that healing comes from more thanmedicine and technology. One of Cook Children’s goals isto provide a complete experience of healing for patients andtheir families through the power of art.To make a donation to Cook Children’s Art Initiative,please contact Cook Children’s Health Foundation at682-885-4105.6 Children’s Promise | The magazine of Cook Children’s