Borderland artists honor ‘healthcare heroes’ with chalk art
EL PASO, Texas-- Local artists have come together to bring messages of hope and healing for 'healthcare heroes' at University Medical Center, El Paso Children's Hospital and TexasTech Physicians.
It's all a part of an event called "The Chalk Walk of Heroes."
“One of the artists was painting and a surgeon came out and asked what she was doing," said Gina Lochausen, Therapeutic Art Coordinator for EPCH, "and the artist said, well we’re making something pretty for you to look at as you go to and from your work and the surgeon said, 'Thank you. I had a very bad day in trauma and this makes me feel appreciated."
Lochausen was inspired to put together this chalk art event after seeing the reactions from healthcare workers whenever she would install some of her patients artwork in the emergency department.
"The doctors were thrilled. They loved the color, they loved the atmosphere and they felt uplifted so this idea was born out of giving that to everybody not in just one area but all healthcare workers,” said Lochausen.
Throughout the weekend, over ten local artists volunteered their time and skills to create these pieces of art. Healthcare workers were surprised to see the art as they walked in and out of work.
“It was beautiful to see all these people drawing and it was really neat to be able to come back to work and see the finished product,” said EPCH registered nurse Katie Jo Goss.
The past year has been a tough one for Goss and her co-workers, but small gestures like this one helped to lift her spirits.
“It’s been a struggle but it’s been very nice to feel so supported by everyone,” said Goss.
Lochausen herself decided to get in on the art fun and created a gumball machine to remind our healthcare heroes that they are loved.
“Instead of life is like a box of chocoaltes we went with life is like gumballs," explained Lochausen, "All the colors are good every flavor is great and you never know what you're gonna get.”
Lochausen's goal with creating this event is to make sure healthcare workers know that they're here working hard and that we appreciate them.
The chalk art can be seen behind the hospital, off of Alberta street, and hospital officials plan on leaving the art work there until the weather decides otherwise.
