NEWPORT – Newport Hospital became the first hospital in the United States to have therapeutic murals painted by the Anouk Foundation, a Switzerland-based nonprofit that has created specialized murals in 16 countries.
At Newport Hospital, two artists from the foundation decorated 27 walls, with a focus on enhancing behavioral health and emergency department spaces and to bring comfort to patients.
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“This project is a great example of the impact of philanthropy and the difference it makes, not only for our patients but also our hospital as a whole,” said Crista F. Durand, president of Newport Hospital. “This beautiful work reflects our commitment to caring for the whole patient and the important role the environment of care plays in patients’ healing process. What a tremendous gift from our donor community, with special gratitude to Elizabeth Leatherman. It was a privilege to work with the Anouk Foundation.”
The artists behind the murals, Guillaume Ozon from Serbia and Emmanuel Martin from France, took about six weeks to complete the project. Murals include a “blue-based tree scene with contrasting birds in flight,” which was painted in one of the behavioral health pods, and a “grass-lined waterfront anchored by trees and horses,” painted on a corridor wall of the emergency department. The project was made possible by local donors’ gifts to the Anouk Foundation.
“From the very first moment, we were welcomed warmly by the whole team of the hospital,” Ozon said. “This was a wonderful first project in the USA, if sometimes challenging because of the difficult nature of working in a behavioral health unit. But seeing patients and staff react so positively lets us know we did our job. Emmanuel and I won’t forget the kindness of the people of Newport and are so very glad the Anouk Foundation could bring its competence here.”
Anouk Foundation works with a team of artists to create murals not only for hospitals around the world but also for homes for children, mental health centers and migration centers. To date, the foundation has completed about 250 projects in 16 countries.
Claudia Chiappa is a PBN staff writer. You may contact her at Chiappa@PBN.com.
