There’s a new mural greeting staff and visitors at Bridgeport Hospital, and it is the creation of local middle and high school students with LifeBridge Community Services’ Mural Club.
Bridgeport and Yale New Haven Children’s hospitals co-sponsored LifeBridge’s Symposium, which brought together healthcare providers, educators, non-profit organizations, policy makers, parents, students and neighbors willing to do things differently to strengthen our community’s well-being. Bridgeport Hospital received the mural artwork because of that sponsorship.
The mural, which took 13 students six months to complete, was developed in phases, led by artist and teacher Alicia Cobb. The students first painted the hallway, then brought in other pieces they created in the studio to lay on top. They wanted to create a work of art that is a happy, hopeful presence for patients and their families, and they succeeded.
“All of us at Bridgeport Hospital are so incredibly honored and thankful for the effort and time that LifeBridge and their students put into this project,” said Pam Scagliarini, chief operating officer. “We are so grateful that such an inspiring scene gets to grace the hospital entrance.”
“These efforts will make an impact on everyone who walks by this wall every day. Most times in life we don’t know the trauma that people have been through. And we won’t always know who will be helped by the things we do,” said Magna Dias, MD, BH chair of Pediatrics. “Having this healing artwork to uplift our spirits is so welcome.”
LifeBridge provides behavioral health services to children and families. The Mural Club is one of the programs that aims to foster a sense of community in its students.
“LifeBridge is proud to sponsor the Community Mural Club, recognizing that when youth give back to their community by creating something beautiful together, it supports their mental and emotional well-being,” said Edith Boyle, president and chief executive officer, LifeBridge Community Services. “We are grateful to Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Health for their continued partnership – and for the opportunity to highlight the beautiful work of our talented Mural Club participants.”
