Joyful Mural to Boost Healing at Phoenix Children’s

A mural commissioned by Phoenix Children’s has transformed a 407-foot, heavily trafficked corridor into a captivating and uplifting journey for children and their families. Nearly two years in the making, the art installation — called “Wonder and Wander” — brings vibrant colors and imaginative designs to a major hospital hallway through which 70,000 children are transported each year on their way to surgery, imaging and other critical healthcare procedures.

The installation is a collaboration between Phoenix Children’s and RxART, a nonprofit organization that aims to help children heal through the power of visual art. Inspired by RxART’s mission, Phoenix Children’s Board Chair and RxART Board Member David Lenhardt worked closely with the organization to create an art installation at Phoenix Children’s Hospital – Thomas Campus. “Wonder And Wander” is the largest project ever completed by RxART.

Contemporary artist Shara Hughes, whose art has been displayed in museum exhibitions worldwide, created the otherworldly landscape piece using colored pencil, oil pastel, watercolor, marker and crayon on paper — materials familiar to children. The design was then enlarged and transferred to Acrovyn, a hospital-safe, custom wall-covering application.

“Sometimes, the installation feels immersive, like you are in the landscape, being hugged by the trees on either side and sometimes it is viewed as if you are a passenger looking outside of a window on one side,” said Hughes. “The drawing shifts in materials and perspective of what you can and can’t see ahead and behind you. While the unknown is present in the drawings, I wanted it to feel like a safe, positive and hopeful space where kids could reflect, to find a moment of respite, and see a landscape change, move and grow. I wanted it to feel exciting and hopeful to move through.”