Access to Creative Arts Brings Comfort to Hospital Stay

Through a long-standing partnership between Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota and COMPAS, kids and their families don’t have to leave the power of the arts behind when they enter the hospital.

An artist and his paintings... work done at Children's hospital in Saint Paul with COMPAS artist Pat Owen.

Last month, after a special week sculpting clay figures and tiles with young patients and their families at Children’s Hospital in Saint Paul, COMPAS visual artist Anne Krocak shared stories about the moving, kind and appreciative kids she worked with.

One young man in the Epilepsy Unit made an enduring impression on her. "He reminded me of how much we can give, even in the short time we work with the children and parents.”

Squishing the clay through his fingers and using Anne’s guidance to wrangle it into a fantastical figure, the young patient beamed with joy. “The appreciation that was returned to me in smiles, humming and a new found comfort in his surroundings was so special and rewarding."

Earlier in the fall, COMPAS painter Victor Yepez spent Saturdays teaching kids painting techniques then setting them loose to unleash their own creativity. 

“I had a kid last workshop that was so ready for the project. His eyes were bright and as soon we set down for a little introduction of the project he was already in action, picking his materials and all that with such big enthusiasm and happiness. I felt like the room was full of light and blessed.”

Full of light and blessed. That’s a pretty good way for a hospital room to look.

COMPAS artists also perform in Children’s in-house Star Studio. The shows are broadcast live and in re-runs to patient rooms. Watch a show with Star Studio host, The Dude, and COMPAS artists, Lau Hawaiian Collective.