PROVIDENCE HOOD RIVER’S NEW ADDITION
RECEIVES THE FINAL INSTALLATION OF
YOUTHFUL ART OF HEALING GALLERY

July 31, 2009

HOOD RIVER, Ore. - Local Columbia River Gorge children, in cooperation with Columbia Center for the Arts “Summer Art Experiences” program will bring to life the mosaic vision of two local artists, Shelley Toon Hight and Mark Nilsson next week at Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. The mosaic is the sixteenth and final addition to the Youthful Art of Healing gallery located in the new hospital addition.

“It is thrilling to see this project come to fruition,” said Ty W. Erickson, Providence Hood River’s chief executive. “Local children and artists throughout the Gorge put their hearts and souls into this gallery - bringing comfort and peace to our patients and visitors through art.”

The installation will take place 10 a.m. to noon, Aug. 4 to 6, outside the new main entrance of the hospital, located on 12th Street. The artists will trace the mosaic design that represents the timeless nature of the Gorge region on a concrete wall, and local children will place the colorful tiles.

“I’m excited to see the completed artwork,” continued Erickson. “It will be a treat to have local artwork beautifying both the inside and outside of the new addition. We’ve already seen the benefits this gallery has provided - it is a gift that continues to give.”

The Youthful Art of Healing gallery that adorns the walls of Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital's new 36,000-square-foot addition delivers a healthy dose of youthful art, to reach and inspire hospital visitors and patients. With the expertise of 10 local artists, more than 700 students from Columbia River Gorge classrooms, from Hood River, Cascade Locks, The Dalles and White Salmon, created 16 gallery-quality projects through a partnership with the schools and nonprofit Columbia Gorge Arts in Education program.

Providence Hood River was awarded Oregon State’s 2009 Outstanding Community/School Partnership Award for its longstanding partnership and support of school programs with Hood River County School District. The winning partnership included Providence's support for the Hood River School District's after-school program, school nursing program, annual health career scholarships, athlete concussion testing, Project Graduation, free sports physicals, arts in education and numerous other projects, all of which build healthier Gorge students and communities, from kindergarten through high school.

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Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is part of Providence Health & Services, the state’s leading health system and largest private employer. Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital is a full-service, critical-access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department. Providence offers a wide range of health care services in the communities of the Columbia River Gorge through its clinics, care centers and senior living facilities.