Every year, hospitals across America celebrate National Hospital Week, as did Hocking Valley Community Hospital during the week of May 7-13. This year as part of the annual celebration, more than 100 Logan High School students played a role in the observance.
The Logan High School art class spent innumerable hours designing four new murals for the HVCH courtyard, which were unveiled during a ceremony this week. While not all the students involved in the project could attend, the courtyard was filled with student representatives, hospital patients, retirees, staff and board members who would become part of the historic moment.
HVCH leadership first inquired if the art class would be willing to leave their mark on the hospital by way of their talent in early spring of 2022.
“We wanted to find a way for our patients and visitors to feel as though they could still be part of what Hocking County is known for – its outdoors, wildlife, and natural landscaping features – while staying with us,” said Latricia Johnston, Chief Public Relations Officer. “We gave them our thoughts, and under the direction of Jeremy McAfee, Visual Arts Instructor, the students ran with it. The connection they made between the hospital, community, and Hocking Hills left many of us speechless – not to mention teary eyed.”
“More than 100 students participated in this organized effort. It started with four 4×8 foot sheets of metal and the process of sanding those down in preparation for the designing,” said Brice Frasure, Director of Student Programs at Logan-Hocking Schools. “They spent the entire 2022-23 school year designing, painting and sealing the four murals that are now permanently placed within the hospital courtyard. I am very proud and appreciative that our Logan High School art students were provided with an opportunity to produce public artwork for our Logan-Hocking community. Many thanks to the leaders of HVCH for their willingness to do outreach with our student artists and for the direction provided by art instructor Jeremy McAfee in creating imagery that is reflective of our community and region. The completed art mural project is a wonderful showcase of the collaborative efforts and talents of our LHS art department and artists.”
Senior students Eli Ennis and Sandy Stevens shared the process of how multiple students all worked together on the same project at different times. “It was a mixture of students – a few sophomores, juniors and several senior students who created the murals,” they said. “Our visual arts instructor Jeremy McAfee laid out the design and all of us did the painting during art class.”
One mural features many well-known buildings and structures within the downtown Logan area. A second mural captures nature at its finest with several species of wildlife found within Hocking County. The final two pieces intricately detail some of the most beautiful natural rock formations and waterfalls in Hocking Hills.
The courtyard is overseen by the hospital’s Foundation and is a place for individuals and organizations to philanthropically show their support in various ways. It displays many varieties of plants, art, and water features made possible by contributions in memory or honor of others. The courtyard is fully handicapped accessible.
Jeff Miller, HVCH Foundation board member, said, “This was an awesome collaboration between the HVCH Foundation and Logan-Hocking School District. The talents of these students who took part in this project is extremely evident and so appreciated.”“The murals that the students painted were absolutely beautiful. I know a lot of work went into painting these murals. The students certainly have a talent, and we are happy they shared that with us,” Stacey Gabriel, HVCH CEO, shared. “Our employees and patients will get enjoyment out of looking at these pieces of art for years to come. Many thanks again to all of the students who worked on this project.”
Anyone interested in becoming part of the courtyard’s memorial program can call the Foundation at 740-380-8336 or email ljohnston@hvch.org.