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THE WPCNR GOOD NEWS. Special to WPCNR. (EDITED)June 8, 2005: Westco Productions, Westchester’s resident professional theater company for young and family audiences, launched its new program “Healing Walls” at a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at White Plains Hospital. Healing Walls is the newest non-profit, “just-for-the-good-of-it” innovation of White Plains First Lady of Westchester Theatre (Tomorrow the Arts!)Susan Katz. “HealingWalls,” became a reality at White Plains Hospital today because Ms. Katz, recovering from surgery, had a great idea: replace gloomy hospital wall and room environments with spirited colorful art to lift patients’ spirits, not depress them.
“Healing Walls” designed and rendered by White Plains muralartista, Ann Ferencz, in Pediatric Unit Fun Room look down on their creators the Westco Board of Directors. Seated, Left to Right, Sonny Katz, Robert Ruger and Susan Katz. Standing, L to R, Marissa Brett of Eastridge Properties which donated one of the murals, Steven Sledzik, Renee Vadala and Diane Hadley. Photo, WPCNR News.
“About a year ago, I had a personal hospital experience, where I was lying in a bed facing a God awful, mustard colored painted wall that was all cracked and hung with dollar store paintings,” Ms. Katz said. “Lying there and looking at the walls, inspired me to think there’s got to be something better to look at that promotes the healing process, a little bit on a spiritual level, as far as bringing nature into the hospital room, or some kind of a theme like that which is very soothing for someone who’s going to be spending time in a hospital whether it’s a child or an adult.”
Thanks to the efforts and support of Westco and the Junior League of Central Westchester along with donations by local merchants, children at White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) will now find a fully re-designed and outfitted fun place to take their minds off of their medical treatments during their stay at the Hospital. The room was officially opened today at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the donors as well as pediatric staff, hospital officials and patients.
Located on the Hospital’s Pediatric Unit, the Pediatric Playroom boasts new hand painted wall murals of beautiful flying kites that soar into the ceiling window well along with new child-friendly furniture, carpeting, electronic games, a game station and interactive learning tools. The wall mural, created by White Plains artist Ann Ferencz, was sponsored by Westco Productions in the family name of Sonny, Connie, Peter and Susan Katz. The donor’s name is painted on one of the walls.
“I called Karen (Lennon, White Plains Hospital Center Director of Marketing), and said I have this wonderful idea to paint your walls. We got all the technical things worked out, and Ann (Ferencz) came in and did her persention, and we now have two rooms done there. The rooms are donated (costing $600 a piece). People may sponsor a room. My family sponsored the first room and Eastridge Properties. I thank the Junior League and my partners.”
Sonny Katz, the retiring beloved City Marshall of the City of White Plains, and Susan’s father, was introduced by Ms. Katz as being the senior member of the Katz family to say a few words said, “It’s no pleasure being called the senior, but we’ll have to admit there’s nothing more pleasurable than to see a smile on a child’s face and I hope that’s what we’ll achieve with these pictures. I want to thank the White Plains Hospital administration for being so cooperative, and understanding. I hope this is the beginning of a vast program.” Photo by WPCNR News
The “Healing Walls” murals represent Westco’s new initiative – designed to brighten the walls of patient rooms with cheerful and pleasant murals through donations by individuals and companies.
The refurnishing of the room (formerly a closet on the Pediatric wing), with drawers and cabinets and furniture, and toys, was undertaken by volunteers of the Junior League of Central Westchester, Scarsdale, an organization committed to improving the community through the development and leadership of volunteers. They called upon and attracted donations from a variety of altruistic businesses.
A team of 12 Provisional Members, who were training to qualify for full membership in the Junior League, undertook the three-month project as part of their training process. Under the supervision of four mentors, the Provisional Class determined the needs of the room and obtained donations from local merchants including McDonalds (ALPS Management) (Lynn Samaha of ALPS Management sits on Westco’s Board of Directors); Coca-Cola Enterprises, K-Mart, A&P, Barnes & Noble, Staples, Borders Books, White Plains Dodge, Stop & Shop, and Elite Flooring. The success of the Class members in meeting the project’s goals earned them membership in the Junior League.
Jon B. Schandler, WPHC President and CEO, noted, “Once again, the spirit of volunteerism which is so strong in this community, has invested in our Hospital with another wonderful enhancement, this time for the enjoyment of children who undergo treatment here. The leadership of Westco Productions and the Junior League of Central Westchester are to be commended for their superb efforts of turning their vision into a reality of real benefit to our patients.”
Richard Biondi, far right, Director of Development for White Plains Hospital introduced the brief ceremoney by saying all who were present this morning were “all constructive, all caring.” Ms. Katz prepares to cut the ribbon with her father, third from right, with artist, Ann Ferencz, foreground to the left of Ms. Katz. Photo by WPCNR News.
Ann Ferencz, the creator of the murals took two days to paint the works. She used acrylic paints, donated by Wallauer Paints. Creating freehand, (not using tracings or predesigns), created the rooms. “I can walk in and in a day, know basically the theme. Once I have a theme. This one was for age 6 to 12, the majority of children at White Plains Pediatrics. We chose kites, Asian kites. We have dragons and fish. The creative process is first coming up with the design and coming and painting. The hospital supplied all the ladders.”
Anne Ferencz, Muralista, and one of her butterflies. Photo by WPCNR News
Ms. Ferencz, a muralist for fifteen years with murals at the Westchester Medical Center, The Thayer Hotel, and Nicole Paone Restaurant in Manhattan among her works, said she painted “freehand.”
“I freehand it. Spacially it’s more important knowing where something is to go. The nice thing about acrylic painting is if you make a mistake you can correct it. Acrylic paints can be washed off. I love painting hospitals.Painting in hospitals is fun because sometimes the children come in and give me ideas. They watch me paint.”
Ms. Ferencz, said two of the children on the pediatric ward made suggestions to her that she incorporated in the room. “Two little chidren came in and out. I didn’t have any butterflies in mine and I painted two butterflies from the suggestion of one child. They want things to fly and loop-de-loop. There’s one little baloon in the upper corner I painted for a child who wanted a baloon.”
Ms. Ferencz is painting on canvas now, recently having a one-woman show in Somers. She grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, and was inspired by familiarity with Asian kites to incorporate them into the White Plains Hospital assignment.
Ms. Katz said she is looking to do more rooms at White Plains Hospital Center, and is currently seeking donors for similar murals at the Carvel Rehabilation Center in White Plains. Westco receives a small administrative fee in managing the the donoring portion of the Healing Walls project. Ferencz said Katz calls her up when there is a donation made, and she can come in and in one day paint a mural.
“We’ll be waiting to hear from Karen Lennon to see what other rooms White Plains Hospital might want done, hopefully the next one will be Carvel Center, a children’s rehab center, formerly the St. Agnes Children’s Unit. If someone would like to sponsor a mural for a mere $600, their name is painted inn the wall. They can contact Westco at 761-7463.” Katz told WPCNR.
Dragons, Butterflies Take Flight in the Pediatric Fun Center. Photo by WPCNR News
Westco will be reaching out to other area hospitals who would like to incorporate the “Healing Walls” program into their facility. If you would like to sponsor “A Wall,” either as an individual, family or business, contact Westco Productions, 914-761-7463. For more information on Westco’s programs, visit their website at www.westcoproductions.org.
Susan Katz, Executive Director of Westco says “Westco is committed to fostering understanding, knowledge and appreciation of live theater for children and families. Celebrating 25 years of success, Westco has entertained more than 537,000 audience members in such venues as the Rochambeau Theater, the Westchester Broadway Theatre, the Irvington Town Hall Theatre and the Antrim Playhouse. Their outreach programs include bringing shows and costumed storybook characters to infirmed and disabled children as well as community based workshops.
