Mural funded by donors debuts on Providence St. Mary campus

A vibrant mural is visible from multiple floors and rooms at Providence St. Mary Medical Center thanks to a collaboration between Providence St. Mary Foundation, the hospital and the Washington State Penitentiary, part of the Washington State Department of Corrections.

Providence St. Mary Foundation donors provided the paint and all supplies needed to create a landscape featuring a winding path, the Blue Mountains, wheat fields, and flowers – all elements suggested by Providence St. Mary caregivers. The mural is not visible from the street, it can only be viewed from floors and patient rooms facing the west, including the intensive care unit, family birth center, and medical unit.

 “Putting beauty into the world is highly restorative and speaks to our Mission,” said Matt Volta, chief mission officer for the Providence Southeast Washington Service Area.

The artists included a Department of Corrections classification counselor and an individual incarcerated at the penitentiary who was supervised during the two-week project completion.

"With the assistance of great partners like Providence St. Mary and donors to Providence St. Mary Foundation, we were able to turn a shared vision into changed lives, one brave step at a time,” added Robert Jackson, superintendent of the Washington State Penitentiary.

The mural idea originated with ICU Director Patty Harmon more than a decade ago, but only recently came to the attention of a hospital committee focused on enhancing the patient experience. Once suggested, the foundation’s board of directors quickly agreed to support the project on behalf of donors.

“This work of art provides tranquility, calm and a sense of hope.” said Lacey Perry, chief philanthropy officer for Providence St. Mary Foundation. “It’s another way our donors promote a positive healing environment right here in our hospital and in our community.”