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Art in the New Hospital |
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Our new Hospital has everything we need to take care of our young patients. Expansive space, cutting-edge technology, and a first-class care team. Beyond what's officially needed, but contributing greatly to the heart and soul of the building, is the artwork within. Led by Committee Chair Barbara Sansone, and Coordinator Ann Wykell, All Children's Art Selection Committee has nearly completed a 2 1/2 year effort to bring original artwork into our new home. "Exploring the Florida Suncoast" was the theme guiding the committee's efforts. The focus has been on artwork that piques children's interests, while engaging and calming parents and caregivers with familiar imagery.
We have worked with 43 artists - 40 of those are from Florida, and 35 of them from our immediate area. Artists range from some of the most well known professional artists in Florida, like Christopher Still, to photography by students at Melrose Elementary School.
We proudly showcase nine commissions - pieces of artwork created specifically for predetermined spaces in our Hospital.
Ray King, a Philadelphia-based artist, was chosen to create the signature piece for the main atrium. His finished product showcases more than 6,000 pieces of dichroic and holographic glass suspended by stainless steel cables from the metal framework above. The piece weighs approximately 1,500 pounds total, and when affected by the sun pouring in from the surrounding windows, throws specks of color onto the surfaces above and below. Mr. King designed "Sky", using glass coated in hues of blue and yellow, to provide an assimilation with Florida's bright sky and brilliant sun.
All Children's Hospital's Chapel is home to the original stained glass creations of local artist, Lenn Neff. Mr. Neff has designed and fabricated large glass panels incorporating a wide variety of colorless textured glass to cover the span of each Chapel window. Each panel's unique textures allow for varying intensities of light and color to flow into the room from the objects and landscape outside. We offer our heartfelt thanks to All Children's physicians, Drs. Stacie and Gary Stapleton, for sponsoring this stunning addition to our new Hospital.
Local Artist Neverne Covington pored over the hand-painted mural designating the entrance to the cafeteria. Her vibrant and life-like fruits and veggies seem like they are ready to dance off the wall!
St. Pete's Catherine Woods has designed a "Timeline Tower" that tells the story of All Children's dating back to the American Legion in the 1920's. Complete with images of some of our most significant leaders, this 16-foot, curved aluminum panel structure will sit at our main-entrance roundabout come early March.
We offer our deepest gratitude to all who've been involved in this project for creating patient-centered environments to help make the All Children's experience the best we can for our patients and families!
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