The Talbot Hospice Foundation is embarking on its third year of partnering with local schools to display select student artwork. From January 6th through February 17th, the watercolor paintings of Wye River Upper School (WRUS) students will be on display for residents, families, staff and visitors to enjoy.
The exhibit hangs in the Hospice Guest Wing, where there are six patient guest suites. The corridor that connects the main living room with the guest suites is a wonderful gallery space with plenty of natural light. The Guest Wing is open at all times and is accessed through a separate entrance apart from the administration areas. Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Susan Piggott shares, “Patients and their families love the change of scenery that the gallery provides – it’s always an exciting day when we hang new artwork.”
In years prior, Talbot Hospice has displayed artwork created by students from Easton Elementary School, St. Michaels Elementary School, The Country School, and The Benedictine School. During every exhibit students and their parents are invited to come by any time to view the artwork.
Wye River Upper School students are pleased to be sharing their creative talents with Talbot Hospice. Students created their paintings under the guidance of WRUS Art Director, James Martinez and local visiting artist, Marc Castelli. The students began the process by photographing local landscapes and then each student selected a photo to be the subject of their painting. Castelli coached students in watercolor techniques, color and perspective. Students wrote about their project experience, including their inspiration, the challenges they faced, and the skills they learned in the process. Sophmore Lucas Kheil writes, “I really didn’t have a clue as to how to start this painting. Fortunately, Marc Castelli came in and worked-hands on with us. It helped me a lot!” WRUS Art Director, James Martinez states “This was a great opportunity not only for our students to improve their painting skills but also to know they are touching the lives of others through their work”
Wye River Upper School is a college preparatory high school for grades 9-12 that offers a supportive, yet challenging curriculum for students with a wide range of learning styles and needs in the Eastern Shore and Central Maryland regions. WRUS is located on the campus of Chesapeake College in the Higher Education Center and provides technology across the curriculum, fine art and music electives, environmental science instruction, morning sports, dual enrollment with Chesapeake College, and a low student/teacher ratio.
Talbot Hospice Foundation and its medical partners Shore Home Care Hospice exist to provide compassionate support to patients and their families facing end-of-life issues. Hospice is about focusing on living and the quality of one’s life in the time that is left. Hospice care focuses on the person, not the illness, and on the family unit, not just the patient.
Talbot Hospice is a community organization. Over 340 volunteers assist at Talbot Hospice House on a daily basis with administrative work, caregiver support, patient care, gardening, cooking, and a variety of other jobs. And talented students, like those from the Wye River Upper School, give back with their colorful artwork which brightens and enlivens the hallways of Hospice House. It is all in the spirit of offering hope and compassionate support to members of the community facing end-of-life issues.
In photo: Wye Rver Upper School Students and WRUS Art Director, James Martinez, pose for a photo before hanging their artwork in the Talbot Hospice Guest Wing.