WOONSOCKET – Thanks to a group of young artists, an entrance to Thundermist Health Center now bears a colorful message of welcome.
Members of Riverzedge Arts, which is a Woonsocket Health Equity Zone Teen Health Workgroup partner, created a mural in an empty space outside the health center and installed benches engraved with the words “You are safe, You are welcome” in English and Spanish.
The mural, depicting a doctor in a white coat handing a child a bouquet of flowers, overlooks the seating area.
Five teenage artists painted the mural.
“I was excited to work with Thundermist because it was a chance to reactivate an unused space and turn it into something that’s beautiful and make it a living part of the community,” said Brad Fesmire, artistic director at Riverzedge Arts. “A key part of our mission is to use art and design to generate economic and cultural sustainability. The combination of the mural and the furniture we installed creates a warm and welcoming environment for patients and other community members who stop by their facilities.”
The project was funded by the Woonsocket Health Equity Zone and the Fund for Healthy Rhode Island.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.
