A child in a hospital is told who they can be around, what they can eat, and where they can go, but when they create art…they are in control. They can make their painting, their drawing, their photography however they want it and now the fruits of their labor are on display at William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). It’s the first time Texas Children’s Hospital’s Making the Mark exhibit has been on display at the Houston Airport System (HAS). “It’s very important to us that people see the work of these children. It’s powerful and it’s child-friendly, it’s very approachable art, yet is carries such a strong message. It’s a message of strength and hope,” say Carol Herron, arts in medicine coordinator at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Throughout the year Texas Children’s collects art work from their patients with cancer or blood disorders and their siblings along with work that is also submitted from hospitals from around the world. This year they have collected nearly 400 pieces. “I think it’s an amazing program,” says Tahra Peterson, assistant director at the Periwinkle Foundation. “Seeing the kids so proud of their art work is wonderful.” Next time you visit Hobby Airport, make sure to take a few moments to see through the eyes of the artists in this exhibit. Houston’s second largest airport which serves over 8.5 million passengers a year is the perfect location to stop, look, read, and send well wishes to the children by postcard like so many others have done. (To see examples, scroll to the bottom of the page) Creating the art is somewhat therapeutic for the children. It keeps their minds off themselves and focused on a blank canvas. “We give them a chance to put down on paper what they may not be able to say in words and it’s a way for them to be children and these are the normal things that children should be doing. They shouldn’t have to sit and get medications through a port, or through IVs,” says Herron.

© Houston Airport System Millions of passengers can now enjoy the Texas Children's art exhibit.

“In my heart I was thinking about the words empower and hope,” said Pam Ingersoll, HAS art director. “Not only are the children being healed physically, but their little souls get so much out of this and everyone who sees it gets the same.”

In addition to funding the art exhibit, the Periwinkle Foundation puts on a camp in the summer. Peterson explains what happened to one of their campers and how everything ties together.

“One of our children went to Moody gardens and found the periwinkle flower and so she writes – ‘Not long ago when mom and I were on vacation at Moody Gardens my mom found the plant that saved my life, the periwinkle plant. You see the periwinkle plant is used to create a cure for my cancer so I decided to paint one of my favorite birds that was on exhibit there - the hybrid macaw parrot.’”

To help match its surroundings, the background for the art work resembles the old wings of an airplane.

The exhibit will take off within months, making its rounds to Virginia, Fort Worth and McAllen before being welcomed with a homecoming back to Houston.

Don’t miss this precious parrot, the monkeys, flowers or any of the art work the next time you travel through Hobby Airport. It will be sure to brighten your day.

Examples of messages:

The painting you drew was very beautiful and yes, you are a hero, don’t ever stop believing in your love of family. You don’t know how much you are helping your best friend live another day.

Your pig is beautiful, it brightened my day as I head off to the airplane for Orlando, I’m sending you my blessings for wellness and happiness, I will also say hi to Mickey for you, be brave little one.

I thought your work was both sad and thoughtful, I hope your brother can see you from heaven and realize what a good person you are and will continue to be.

What a beautiful poem, thank you for reminding me to see the potential in everyone I meet. May you be well and happy.

Your picture does look like heaven on earth it almost made me cry. I am sure you are as beautiful as this picture, may you be well and happy.

I work for TSA at Hobby airport and saw your monkey picture on display, it made me laugh and brought a bright spot to my routine day, thank you and God Bless you.

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