I am pleased and proud to announce that my award-winning watercolor “Eat Chicken” is being purchased for Chattanooga’s Erlanger Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center. It will be part of the hospital’s award-winning permanent art display, with other fine paintings. The Arts at Erlanger program has received national recognition, and is an important component of the new Children’s Hospital’s innovative family-friendly environment, designed to engage children, distract them from their illnesses and meet the complex needs of families and physicians. I can’t think of a nicer venue for my colorful and somewhat whimsical painting, where it can bring a few moments of joy to those who need cheering up, young and old.
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| Artist’s Concept of new Chattanooga Children’s Hospital |
The purchase is made through a generous grant from the Lyndhurst Foundation in memory of the late Martha Joan Clark of Chattanooga. Kevin M. Spiegel, president and CEO of the Erlanger Health System, said, “We are building a Children’s Hospital uniquely designed for the community we serve. This memorial gift, which reflects the many artistic and cultural contributions of Martha Joan Clark, will be part of our new hospital for generations to come.” The 90,000 sq.ft. Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center is scheduled to open at the end of 2018. It is Phase I of a new Children’s Hospital and will be its entrance and main lobby.
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| “War Path”, an award-winning watercolor by Joan Clark |
Now I have been twice honored in the memory of artist Joan Clark, who died in the spring of 2017. My Best Of Show award for “Eat Chicken” was The Joan Clark Memorial Award, created when the family requested donations to the Tennessee Watercolor Society as remembrance in lieu of flowers. I never had the pleasure of meeting her, but my research reveals that Joan Clark was a beautiful and caring person, a talented award-winning artist, and a gifted woman in many other pursuits.
