|
For Patsy Rodriguez, creating ceramic tiles in Jackson
Memorial's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic was a labor of love.
Patsy Rodriguez
Rodrigeuz, a Pinecrest ceramicist, was one of six
artists chosen to participate in the Children's Cancer Clinic/Arts in
Medicine program, originated in 1989. An affiliate of the Jackson
Memorial Foundation and funded in part by the Metro-Dade County
Cultural Affairs Council, the program was designed to help children
and their families cope with the difficult hospitalization experience
through art and play.
Patients, parents, siblings and care givers could all
participate in the various thematic art projects, directed by Letitia
Cason, M..Ed., a Certified Child Life Specialist who focuses on the
psychosocial care of children with serious medical conditions.
Rodriguez' project, called "Healing Fantasy
Gardens", involved the creation of movable ceramic wall murals
for the lobby of the cancer clinic. Participants also helped make
ceiling tiles for the treatment room; a large ceramic mural made with
colorful plants and animals.
"I would park blocks away from the hospital
building," Ms. Rodriguez explained, "where I carried over my
ceramics supplies - - boxes of tile, glazes and brushes. The children
worked on their tiles in the hospital, then I would carry them home,
fire them, and bring them back for everyone to enjoy."
Rodriguez used the kids' tiles to create 3x4 movable
mural panels that could be used anywhere in the ward.
"The artwork helps create such a different
feeling," Ms. Rodriguez said. "Instead of a doctor and
patient interacting in a cold office atmosphere, a child and their
caretaker(s) could be surrounded by beautiful gardens and
rabbits." Rodriguez set up shop in the waiting room, where the
wonderful artwork greets you the minute you step off the elevator.
The Arts in Medicine program, an offshoot of the
Children's Cancer Fund, received extremely positive feedbackfrom its
participants and their families.
When the children work together on a joint art
project, they gain a sense of community which improves their
self-esteem and fulfills the need to connect and belong. While helping
kids cope with the stresses and pain of their illnesses and
treatments, creative expression enables them to "reclaim energy
and creativity, thereby releasing stress, conflict, discomfort and
fear."
According to Letitia Cason, the program's director,
"It is so wonderful to see parents interacting with their
children! A lot of times a sick child's focus is on the illness, not
so much on fun things, like art activities . . . We try and help the
children in every way here - medically and emotionally.
Art is such a nice way to establish rapport with
patients and to ease some of their discomforts."
Patsy Rodriguez is familiar with the physical and
emotional pain caused by illness. When she developed Multiple
Sclerosis years ago, Patsy's husband encouraged her get involved with
ceramics. The idea took off, and now Rodriguez has her own tile
business. She creates back splashes, benches, bathrooms and just about
any design on ceramic tile that makes a personal statement for each
client.
"I am a native Miamian who enjoys using my
experience and talents to give back to the community where I grew up.
My art has given me an outlet to express my view of the world. I feel
flattered to have been asked to do this project and very fortunate to
have enriched my life with this experience."
Rogriguez lives in Pinecrest with her husband, Henry,
an inventor who recently designed a new type of hurricane shutter, and
a daughter Calley, 14. She works on ceramic projects with many
different organizations, including the Regis House, Palmetto Middle
School and Pinecrest Elementary School.
For more information on Artistic Tile Designs by Patsy
Rodriguez, please call 305/663- 0988.
|
