University of Minneapolis Masonic Children's Hospital Mosaic
"From Worry to Wonder"
A mosaic for the University of Minneapolis Masonic Children's Hospital was created with participation in glass, tile and ceramic relief. The collaborative process involved patients and hospital staff creating imagery and helping to select words and symbols for the artwork in the non-denominational Quinn Seymour Chapel.
The sculptural relief bear, a symbol of protection, is painted with a tall grass prairie landscape and purple coneflowers. The fused and stained glass river includes text in several languages about caring, healing, family and sources of strength.
Hospital patients and staff were invited to share their ideas about what words and colors inspire hope and tranquility. Chaplains at the hospital then selected meaningful words that were sculpted in a subtle ceramic border. A word cloud was made showing ideas that were submitted by youth and adults.
The cutthroat trout was sculpted by a teenage patient in the hospital.
Small images were included that could be used to facilitate conversations with patients and families. The tiger and strawberries are from the story, Tiger Above, Tiger Below, in Pema Chodron's book, Comfortable with Uncertainty. Other images reflect a variety of different cultures that represent the diverse hospital community.
Special thanks to the Seymour family for making the Quinn Seymour Chapel a beautiful, healing and comforting place for children, families and hospital staff.
“May we all be at peace, wrapped in a loving embrace.”
