Detroit Country Day School Students Donate 40 Pieces of Artwork to Children’s Hospital of Michigan
By: Chris Austin
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., October 26, 2012 – Detroit Country Day School (DCDS) is pleased to announce 40 pieces of student-created artwork were donated to Children’s Hospital of Michigan as part of the 10th annual Art from the Heart program, sponsored by the Friends of the Arts Association of DCDS. DCDS Headmaster Glen Shilling made the announcement.
This year’s selections were officially unveiled during a recent art preview at the hospital, allowing the students and their families an opportunity to see the art framed and on display in the cafeteria.
In addition to the 40 pieces chosen for display, 20 DCDS Middle and Upper School students designed and created two curtains and several wooden cutouts that are now hanging in treatment rooms on the fourth and sixth floors of the hospital as part of a program titled Brooke’s Dream. The program was named after Brooke Wise, a child life intern at the hospital who helped conceive the idea of artwork distracting patients during uncomfortable procedures. Brooke worked with a local artist on the first art installation project resulting in a painted privacy curtain and themed wall art. Just days after that project was completed, Brooke passed away in an automobile accident. In an effort to keep her memory alive, students and faculty from her alma mater, Central Michigan University, have worked to continue her dream through this program.
Each year, for the past 10 years, Art from the Heart has helped transform the hospital into a friendly, welcoming environment for children and their families with the addition of bright, colorful art. All of the artwork is hand picked by hospital staff during the annual Celebrate the Arts festival at DCDS each spring. Over the last 10 years, DCDS students have donated more than 360 total pieces of artwork to Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
“Art from the Heart provides students with an incredible opportunity to give back and calm the fears of sick children and their families,” said Shilling. “Having our students’ artwork chosen for display at Children’s Hospital is an incredible honor and their decision to donate their work will continually make a positive impact on the lives of others.”
To download a photo of the artwork displayed in the cafeteria, click below.
To download a photo of one of the curtains, click below.
About DCDS
Detroit Country Day School provides a superior college preparatory, liberal arts educational opportunity to young people of cultural and intellectual diversity. Within a dignified and supportive setting, the school facilitates a spirit of achievement and promotes the academic, artistic, ethical, character, physical and leadership development of all students so that they can pursue excellence in their lives and careers, and play effective roles in their families and communities.
About Friends of the Arts Association
The general purposes and objectives of Friends of the Arts is to support and promote the Fine and Performing Arts curriculum, activities and programs of the students attending Detroit Country Day School, and to encourage the continued development and growth of a nationally recognized Fine and Performing Arts program. The Friends of the Arts Association encourages support of endeavors and programs through active annual membership by parents, friends, alumni, employees and students, and additional contributions. For more information, please visit www.dcds.edu.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Butts
248.258.2333
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