Student Artists Are Recognized at Medical Center

Oakwood Southshore Medical Center celebrated the third annual Arts for the Spirit program Wednesday with a reception for students who created pieces of art that were put on display at the center.

Student art could be found on the first floor of the medical center since January, however the evening marked the official reception where students were thanked for their efforts. Students received certifications for the work they donated to the medical center.

According to Sandra Baughman, coordinator of the AFTS program for Oakwood Health Systems the art found on the first floor of the medical center serves two purposes.

Sandra said that research shows that integrating art with health-care is beneficial to the patients and staff of the hospital and it positively impacts everyone.

The art also gives students an opportunity to show off their work to the public, which provides positive reinforcement for the students.

"The visitors and the patients and the staff really benefit from this and I hear it everyday," Baughman said. "It's rewarding for me to see what it does for people who are stressed. This (hospital) is a stressful place."

There were 150 parents, students and art enthusiasts present to see the young artists receive certifications for their work.

The Nasir Auditorium was filled with gushing parents looking on as their young artists stood and were recognized. Each student's name was called and they received a certificate from Baughman.

According to Baughman students did not have to stick to a theme for the art exhibit and any help the students needed came from the art teachers at all grade levels.

The artwork was delivered to the hospital in December and Baughman oversaw the installation, which she said was a big job when you include the three other Oakwood Medical Centers.

There are ten art galleries at all four of the Oakwood hospitals in Southeastern Michigan and each hospital displays art from nearby public schools.

The art is then switched out every three months to allow a change of scenery for the staff and patients, and it gives more children an opportunity to showcase their art.

A new batch of art is set to hit the medical center at the beginning of April.

Students used multiple mediums for the display including sculptures, sketches, pastels and paintings.

Some of the art teachers were present to cheer on their students. A few teachers gave their opinion on the recent suggested budget cuts.

At a Board of Education meeting some suggested budget cuts included making art classes "pay to play," cutting art at the lower grade levels and closing down Boyd W. Arthurs Middle School.

Laura VanNoord, an art teacher at Arthurs Middle School, said she thinks it's a sad world where art gets targeted.

"If we stand together and teach the whole child they (art and music classes) all have to stay," VanNoord said.

Meadow Hunt, who teaches kindergarten through fifth grade art, said art was the main thing that got her through school.

"I'm happy to provide it (art classes) now and I know, in my heart, we will provide it in the future because we are so dedicated to the arts in this area," Hunt said.

Hunt added it was difficult to select the art to put on display because she had to select just ten pieces from her 150 students. She added that more student art can be found at all of the schools.

After the students received their certificates the night was capped off by performances by two high school Advanced Choir students Makenzie Raymond and Taylor Towers. Both students sang two songs and were well received by the parents and students at the reception.

Advanced Choir teacher Shannon Kelley said the choir has an upcoming performance called Trenton High School Musical on March 24, 25 and 26 at the high school.

Baughman said the evening was a great success and she looks forward to an even bigger event next year.