Student artwork brightens Bon Secours' hallways

POSTED:  DECEMBER 21, 2009

The subject of one of the donated pieces is the Iris - Bon Secours' official flower.

Port Jervis art students are helping to brighten the hallways of Bon Secours Community Hospital.

Last spring, close to 30 students donated an original piece of art to the hospital. The recently-framed artwork now graces the main hallways used by patients being treated in the emergency, radiology, and diagnostic imaging departments. The beautiful, brightly-colored pieces were created by students in Denise Jackson’s (ASK), Vito DiBiasi (Middle School), and Bess Moran and William Gerbracht (High School) art classes.

“The students felt very strongly about giving something back to the community,” said district art coordinator Bess Moran, who coordinated the community service project with the director of the emergency department. Moran noted that, while it is often difficult for artists to part with their work, the students readily donated their favorite pieces to hospital.

Bon Secours Hospital Executive Vice President Leah Cerkvenik (left) and Emergency Department Director Bonnie Heal (far right) said they are impressed by the quality of the student artwork presented by District Art Coordinator Bess Moran.

“The hallways in this section of the hospital are used the majority of our out-patients,” said Bonnie Heal, clinical director of the Bon Secours Emergency Department. “We’ve been wanting to brighten up the bare walls for several years. “Now, thanks to the students, the walk between emergency and the other departments is a little more enjoyable for patients.”

The following Port Jervis art students contributed to the project:

ASK Elementary School - Emily Golding, Victoria Hemion, Brittany Kinman, Elijah Mendoza, Rachel Fratello, Maretta Leonard, Lindsey McCoy, Casey Schnoor

Port Jervis Middle School - Ashley Smedley, Kristin Smith, Taylor Ludeman, Kim Quick

Port Jervis High School - Grace Johnson, Alex Deal, Stephanie Pacos, Ayla Ackerley,
Kristin Kurtz, Jake Case, Melissa Bright, Susan Chen, Kaitlyn Dunn, Alexis Capitano,
Sabrina Taylor, Caitlyn Sullivan, Rachel Guszwick, Jessica Saltalamacchia,
Nicole Sorrentino