Students paint murals at hospital
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Mark Daniels wanted to find a way to get some colorful murals painted on the walls of the recreation room in the inpatient psychiatry unit at Newark Hospital. R.N. Daniels approached Carole Nary, volunteer coordinator, who thought it was a great idea. Nary thought it would be great if she could have students who are interested in art, paint the murals.

She contacted Sherry Williams, Work Experience coordinator, and asked if she had any students who would be able to help.

Senior Renee Miles, who is interested in pursuing a career in art and plans to attend The Art Institute in Pittsburgh, was looking for work to complete school credit requirements. Williams asked Miles if she'd like to tackle the project. She agreed and also suggested another student, junior Adam Churey. Williams contacted district art facilitator Michele Vair, who acted as their agent.

Williams, Vair, Miles and Churey met in December with Nary and Daniels, to learn what he had in mind for the murals. The students developed sketches that depict restful scenes near water for him to consider. Churey's was a lighthouse scene at sunset and Miles painted a tropical beach scene at dusk.

After Daniels approved their sketches, and purchased needed paints and supplies the students had submitted a request for, Miles and Churey began their painting project in January. Twice each week they went to the hospital and slowly the murals began taking shape as curious patients watched and often asked questions. After each spent between 30 to 40 hours painting - Churey with brushes and Miles using small pieces of cardboard to apply paint - the murals were completed in February.

Sue Tierson, another Registered Nurse who works in the unit, said patients are very pleased about how the murals have changed the room. 'We've gotten a lot of positive comments,' she said.

Daniels said he would like more paintings done by NHS students in the unit. 'This is a good example of the school reaching out to the community to provide a service to us and at the same time, we are providing opportunities for student involvement,' he said.

Williams plans to arrange to have more students painting in the hospital in the fall because it proved to be such a good experience for the hospital, but for Miles and Churey as well.

'Renee and Adam were so motivated and responsible and got this all done on their own,' Williams said.

Churey, who enjoys art but at this point plans to pursue a career in forensic pathology, would be glad to do another painting in the unit. Said Miles, 'I'm wowed. It's nice to be able to do something so little that helps somebody else.'

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