NORFOLK, Va. — CHKD's Children's Pavilion in Norfolk was built to meet the mental health needs in Hampton Roads. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this facility uses artwork to promote healing and hope.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into CHKD's Children's Pavilion? All the windows and the artwork! The facility is a mental health hospital, primary care clinic and houses sports medicine. Vice President of the Mental Health Service Line, Jack Warburton, says each piece of art is intentional.
"The healing aspects of art, we find that the environment being welcoming," said Warburton. "The environment having bright, natural light. The environment having the bright colors, and visually pleasing artwork, has been really conducive to the healing process for the kids in our care."
When you walk in from the parking garage, you'll notice this large mural. It says, 'Health, Healing and Hope for all Children'. Warburton said, the artist, Joe Wardwell, chose to highlight CHKD's mission statement. He used vivid colors with images of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
"The artwork that was selected, and the process of obtaining those pieces of art was really symbiotic with the development of the building and the development of the clinical spaces as well," said Warburton.
"My favorite piece is called 'Cercles' by Manuel Merida," said Warburton. "Cercles is a beautiful piece because it's moving. It's composed of large acrylic discs that are filled with pigmented sand, and they rotate, constantly tumbling, constantly changing."
This one by Paul Vilinski, is fun and a bit nostalgic.
"A variety of records that are all titles that kids and families will recognize, were crafted into the shapes of birds that are all bursting into flight, going on about their journeys in that way," said Warburton.
You'll notice several other pieces inside and even outside the building. It's all to help inspire patients and visitors who are usually going through a pretty difficult time in their lives.
"Kids that are experiencing some pretty significant problems or injuries in their lives, are working on ways to turn that into a brighter future," said Warburton.
For more information on the artwork, visit the CHKD website.
