Haring Mural Sale Benefits Pediatric Patients

On November 17, 2022, a Keith Haring mural sold at Sotheby’s for $945,000. The history of the mural carries great significance to the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Department. In 1986, Diane Rode, now Senior Director, Patient and Family Centered Care, was then the only art therapist at Mount Sinai Hospital, and she invited Haring to draw for the pediatric patients. On his last of three visits to the hospital, Haring painted a mural, Mural for The Mount Sinai Hospital. Approximately 17 feet wide and 4 feet tall, the mural depicted playfulness and a connection to children. Preserved for three decades, Mural for The Mount Sinai Hospital will continue to benefit the children of Mount Sinai Hospital as proceeds from the auction will benefit pediatric care and programming.

"This mural has such great significance because it represents who he was; this is the legacy he wanted to leave behind. He wanted people to know his heart, this is a reflection of it.. and I gotta tell you, there's something uplifting with art. It helps to bring out that creativeness, it helps you to get lost, and just forget for a minute... It allowed me to heal, to just pour out that pain". Liana, a former patient who was present during Keith Haring's 1986 mural session.

Welcome to New Staff and Interns

Jordana Salomon, a Certified Child Life Specialist, recently joined the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy team in The Cohen Center for Pediatric Comprehensive Care. Jordana graduated with a Master of Science in Child Life from Bank Street College of Education. Jordana found her passion for child life in 2018, and has been volunteering, shadowing, and interning throughout New York City hospitals. When Jordana received her certification, she worked as the sole child life specialist in a hospital where she provided psychosocial support, medical play, education, procedure preparation, and play to pediatric patients and their families, in addition to writing grants and performing administrative tasks. Jordana is very excited to join the incredible (and big) Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Team at Mount Sinai! Welcome, Jordana!

Kyla Ohayon is an art therapy intern from Pratt Institute where she is pursuing a Masters of Professional Studies in Art Therapy and Creative Development. Her favorite art form is fiber arts and she is excited to bring embroidery, weaving, sewing and knitting to the community at Kravis Children’s hospital. A fun fact about Kyla is that she learned how to surf last year. Welcome, Kyla!

Grecia “Gracy” Vidal is a third-year art therapy student from School of Visual Arts. She previously interned at public schools practicing art therapy as part of after school programs. As a student intern, Gracy is always open to learning new skills and innovations that will help her develop as a future art therapist. Welcome, Gracy!

NICU Highlight

The neonatal intensive care unit child life team has slowly relaunched the sibling visit program. A special visit took place on Halloween from a big brother who patiently waited five months to meet his baby brother! For this Halloween visit, big brother dressed up as his favorite super hero, Iron Man. The neonatal intensive care unit child life team provided a special super hero costume for baby so he could be matching with his big brother. Parents dressed the baby into his costume and big brother helped. Tons of superhero photos and first time family photos were captured.

Paws & Play Corner

Meet Lulu - a patient who was admitted on P5 for almost two months. During her admission, Lulu quickly developed a routine filled with fun coping strategies. She enjoyed much of what the Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy department had to offer! She enjoyed going to the zone, playing in the playrooms, but most of all, Lulu loved the Paws & Play program! Her smile lit up a room when one of the dogs walked through the hall. Lulu could often be heard yelling “Hi Amos!” in a cheerful tone down the P5 hallway. She loved petting Amos’ soft fur, going on walks with him, and making him crafts like bracelets and picture frames. When working with Lulu, Amos and Sydney Epstein, Certified Child Life Specialist, worked to provide play opportunities to normalize the hospitalization experience. Lulu especially loved playing doctor with Amos!

A Film Maker in the Making

Art Therapy Fellow

Faris Foundation Art Therapy Fellow, Rosemary Quispe, has created many thoughtful and therapeutic art therapy interventions for our patients and their family members. This past month, Rosemary offered grounding stones, where she showed patients how to use collage materials and clear stones to create messages of hope and inspiration. The goals of creating a grounding stone are to focus on mindfulness and engage in a meaningful coping activity to aid with relaxation. The stones can also be carried as a daily positive reminder and an opportunity to reflect on something that feels grounding and supportive.

Grace Webber, Patient Media Production Assistant, works with patients during individual bedside sessions to create media projects. These projects include filmmaking, editing, TikTok creations, superpower effect videos, digital art, and much more. Recently, she worked with patient Esmeralda, 5, to make a superpower film. Grace assisted Esmeralda in the process, but the patient was the director, writer, star, editor, and overall creator. Through their sessions, Esmeralda was able to be the hero of her own film, “Super Villain Versus Hero.” Esmeralda is ready to create a sequel!