The National Art Honor Society recently held a Gallery Event in room 29 here at Emerson Junior Senior High School. Art teacher Ms. Halle Lutrell sent invitations to faculty and staff, and encouraged everyone to see the amazing efforts of her students. Forever finding inspiration in the artistic endeavors of our Cavos, I made a point to visit the exhibit, and I was not disappointed.
Some paintings depicted nature scenes with turtles, a baby penguin, and flowers, and others paid homage to iconic movies like Mary Poppins, Dumbo, and Up. All of them made me stop and smile. Then I noticed it. They were all painted on ceiling tiles! Luttrell explained, “NAHS was asked to create these ceiling tiles for Hackensack Medical Center’s children’s hospital wing. They were instructed to create a colorful painting that a sick child would be happier to see when looking up from their hospital bed.”
She went on to say, “The student artists were instructed to paint something to brighten a child’s day, or make them feel more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Pixar, Disney and other fairy tale characters embody a kind of comfort for many students. ” NAHS member Sofia Labombarda shared that this has been an annual tradition for EHS’s NAHS. It only makes sense to commission works like these for a place that can often bring up feelings of fear and uncertainty. Designed to alleviate anxiety, these pieces create a sense of calm and comfort, especially in pediatric and radiology units. Art reminds us that life can be beautiful, and reassures us – in a way – that we are not alone. As someone who has been visiting a hospital with more frequency these days, I can vouch for the idea that these creations truly help in moments of stress. While I waited for my father to wake up from a procedure last winter, I sat beside his bed and stared at the ceiling tiles. Several were colorfully painted with nature scenes, cartoon characters, and inspirational sayings. I don’t remember the specific images themselves, as much as the realization that someone had painted them with other people in mind. This thoughtfulness brought a little hope to a very bleak moment.
Knowing that somewhere there is somebody who is looking up during a down moment, seeing color and joy where there may otherwise seem to be darkness and despair, is a thing of beauty and a work of art in itself.
Our Cavos have heart and they share it with art!
STAY TUNED! There are more gallery events to come (think April for the NAHS Induction), and Ms. Luttrell hinted, “NAHS will be creating at least one new mural project between now and Induction… Our theme for these projects embodies school pride.”
