Art has long been known to bring people together and to
promote healing.
This proposed book project will tell multiple stories: the making of the 72sf mosaic for a new pediatric surgical waiting room at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center in Houston, the importance of appreciating and protecting coral reefs, and the healing power of art. These stories will tell of building community, heightening awareness, the magical powers of awe and wonder, and sharing healing compassion.
Video of artist Dianne Sonnenberg viewing the installation for the first time. Videographer: http://LuisV8.com
At the end of seven months of intense collaborative work the colorful, peaceful depiction of underwater beauty and calm was installed in the hospital waiting room where anxious families experiencing trauma will explore the glimmering scene, take a calming breath, perhaps play a “seek n find” game with an activity kit, and be reminded of their connection to the world beyond.
The project, lead by mosaic artist Dianne Sonnenberg, brought a few dozen artists together in a common cause to design, plan and complete three large mosaic murals depicting the beauty and wonder of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGB), a remote group of pristine coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, off the Galveston coast. I now know why my childhood dentist had a large aquarium in the waiting room.
As a pebble sends out ripples across a pond “Treasures from the Gulf: Creating Community and Healing Through Art” will widen awareness of how community collaboration can make significant impacts on an ever growing group of people. The book also tells the story of the intricately balanced reef ecosystem where a myriad of creatures live and thrive.
Johannes Umbgrove wrote in 1939, "The unrivaled splendor and wealth of forms and the delicate tints of the coral structures, the brilliant colours of fishes, clams, sea anemones, worms, crabs, star fishes and the whole rest of the reef animals are so attractive and interesting that it seems impossible to give an adequate description of such a profusion of serene and fascinating beauty ." When people stand before the three murals or open the book they can experience this same realization.
How will your gift help?
-F und the creation and publication of “Treasures from the Gulf: Creating Community and Healing through Art”.
- Families in trauma will be calmed as they look at the book, explore the detailed mosaics, learn about creatures living in FGB, play a “seek and find” game and color pictures of the fishes.
- Broaden awareness about the importance of coral reefs in our overall world ecosystem.
- Fund the free distribution of the book to:
- The Pediatric Surgical Waiting Room (the more funding we receive, the more books we can provide)
- Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGB), where they will be used for educational and outreach purposes
- Schools, aquariums, museums, and libraries in the Houston/Galveston/Austin/San Antonio/Corpus Christi areas.
- Create and Produce activity kits for children, which will be distributed to as many of the above venues as we can, beginning with the Pediatric Surgical Waiting Room.
We humbly ask for your support. We are very proud of the monumental artwork we have created, and want to provide this additional outreach, so many more people can enjoy the wonder and awe of art, and learn about the importance of protecting our coral reefs.
Thank you for your generous donations in any amount!
Gratefully,
Dianne Sonnenberg and Beatrice Baldwin, Artists
