Power behind paint: Student art tour across hospitals inspires healing

Paint flies back and forth across the page, streaks of deep purple, black, and green blending together as students at Mount Saint Vincent transform emotions into art. For these children, art is more than an activity. It’s a way to communicate feelings that can be difficult to put into words.

On one page, a student sketches the image of a child, a potential reflection of himself.

He pauses. Then adds a smile.

“When the kids paint, they light up. They begin to express themselves, and their emotions, through a creative process that gets them moving and thinking in a different way,” said DeeDrya Barker, recreational therapy coordinator of Mount Saint Vincent. “It provides an opportunity for them to have choice and control over what they are making.”

For over 140 years, Mount Saint Vincent has served Colorado children and families facing emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges through compassionate, trauma-informed care that helps families heal beyond trauma into a healthy and hopeful future.

Much of that transformation happens quietly inside classrooms and therapy spaces, unseen by the community. But this summer, the artwork created by Mount Saint Vincent students stepped beyond those walls and into Intermountain Health hospitals across the Front Range.

“Looking at these art pieces and their individuality, it is very inspirational,” said Kevin Jenkins, president of Good Samaritan Hospital. “These are part of Colorado’s vulnerable kids sharing a bit of themselves on paper, and it's an honor to have their artistic talent on display at our hospital.”

In July, the student art show kicked off at Platte Valley Hospital before traveling to Good Samaritan Hospital and Saint Joseph Hospital.

“Displaying the children’s artwork reminds everyone who walks through Saint Joseph Hospital that healing is deeply human and often begins with being seen, heard, and valued,” said Caitlin Pride, vice president of Mission Integration. “As mission-driven hospital, we are grateful for the opportunity to create space for their voices and to celebrate the connection between art, healing, and community.”

Before these pieces were displayed in hospital hallways, they started with something much simpler: a blank sheet of paper, a paintbrush, and a child willing to create.

Thanks to a tremendous school supply drive led by Platte Valley Hospital, many of our students will begin the school year with the tools they need to learn, create, and grow. Their generosity is already making an impact in our classrooms and therapy spaces.

“When you see the artwork and hear the stories behind it, it’s impossible not to want to help,” said chief medical officer at Platte Valley Hospital, Joel Meyer. “When our caregivers and community learned about the needs of Mount Saint Vincent students, they responded with incredible generosity. We hope every donated item reminds these children that they have an entire community believing in their future and supporting their success.”

If this artwork has touched you, we invite you to continue that momentum by supporting Mount Saint Vincent's Amazon Wish List. While you'll find traditional school supplies, you'll also see items uniquely suited to the children we serve, including kinetic sand, sensory tools, fidget items, and therapeutic resources. Much like art therapy, these tools help children regulate emotions, manage stress, stay grounded during difficult moments, and build healthy coping skills through safe, constructive outlets.

Every donated item goes directly into our classrooms and programs – creating a lifetime of healing and hope.