From Clinical to Colorful: Volunteer Artists Install Paintings Throughout UNM Hospital

When walking through the halls of The University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital and other children-friendly areas of the UNM Health system, instead of plain white walls, eyes will now be drawn to color and joy.

Splashes of Hope, a New York based nonprofit organization comprising volunteer artists, recently installed several ceiling tiles, wall murals and panels depicting hot air balloons throughout children’s areas in UNM Hospital.

“These paintings have been transformational,” said Jennifer Kean, UNM Hospital outpatient child life supervisor. “It’s amazing to see an area come to life. It really livens up an area and makes it a happier and a more colorful place to come to.”

The nonprofit has “splashed” hospitals in all 50 U.S. states. They also have an international presence, having installed art in hospitals in France, Egypt, Nicaragua, Italy and more countries.

“They’re in thousands of hospitals around the world, splashing different areas in different hospitals,” Kean said.

Their first visit to UNM Hospital was back in 2008, and they’ve since installed multiple art pieces throughout.

During the most recent visit last month, the circular entrance in the children’s waiting room in the Pediatric Neurology department lobby was transformed into a purple hot air balloon in the mountains.

After walking through the circular entrance, children can now gaze at the two murals depicting funny animals traversing across the New Mexican landscape beneath a sky full of hot air balloons. Children can make a game out of looking for a skateboarding moose wearing a cape, a monkey painting at an easel, a roller skating pig, an elephant on a motorcycle and many more.

“A lot of the paintings have different scenery, different things to find,” Kean said. “They could be used for a game of ‘I Spy.’”

Other areas in UNM Hospital that have been splashed include the Children’s Heart Center, the pediatric emergency department and the sixth floor lobby. The Splashes of Hope team has also installed colorful ceiling tiles in the sedation clinic.

Kean said the murals and art pieces are one way to bring a smile to children and their families, diverting their attention from the reasons they are visiting the hospital.