BEACON BITS MeSa County

Ceramic artist is new Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence

Ceramic artist Hannah Martin is the new Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence. Martin has scheduled regular public meet and greets from 2:30-4:30 p.m. each Tuesday through August 1, and will lead several programs for adults, teens and children during her residency. Martin began her art career after watching a behind-the-scenes documentary of the film “Lord of the Rings.” Martin started working with clay in 2014, and in 2019 she received her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree from Colorado Mesa University with a concentration in ceramics. Martin says her work is about how we explore nostalgia and language through the lens of pop culture and whimsy. Public programs offered during her residency include Intro to Clay Surface Design, where participants can learn Sgraffito and Mishima clay surface design techniques using greenware bowls. Space is limited, and registration is required at mesacountylibraries.org or by calling 970-243-4442.

Classes take place:

• June 10, 10 a.m. at Palisade Library

• June 22, 5:30 p.m. at Fruita Library

• July 6, 5:30 p.m. at the Central Library

St. Mary’s Medical Center earns Leapfrog “A” for quality and safety

St. Mary’s Medical Center received an “A” grade for 2023 from the national Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade survey for efforts to protect patients and provide safe, highquality care for the community. This is the 12th consecutive “A” grade for St. Mary’s. The Leapfrog Group is a nonprofit, independent organization that reviews hospitals across the country using more than 30 national performance safety measures to determine their grade. The survey considered anything that could bring possible harm to patients such as infections, medical errors, accidents or injuries. The survey also examines the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm in the first place. It then assigns an “A” through “F” grade based on the hospital’s performance. To see the full Leapfrog list