Students Splash Creativity on Hospital Walls with Stunning Beachside Murals

A group of art students from Arts University Bournemouth have had their creative work unveiled at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, which is currently undergoing a major transformation. The hospital's new BEACH building now features two impressive murals, each measuring 9 meters long, designed and painted by students Emily Bishop, Yulia Klajnscek, Rhea Hackwell, and Olivia Greatrex. The project was guided by Lenya Hulford-Greig, a graduate of the university, and was part of a collaboration between University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust and Arts University Bournemouth. This partnership is a key part of the hospital's £500 million transformation program, aiming to improve both the look and feel of the hospital for patients, staff, and visitors.

The two murals, titled Emerging Kingfisher and Dorset Diorama, were created to bring color and a sense of local identity to the hospital's new building. The Emerging Kingfisher mural features a kingfisher bird flying out of water against a bright orange sunset, with droplets containing photos of local places. The kingfisher was chosen because these birds are often seen at the hospital's lake and are considered symbols of luck, beauty, and grace. The Dorset Diorama mural showcases a stylized beach scene, including the white cliffs of Old Harry Rocks, the ruins of Corfe Castle, a goat, a deckchair, and beach huts. The artists wanted this mural to help people feel connected to the Dorset area and to remind them of the beauty of their local surroundings.

Laura Joy, the hospital trust's arts manager, said that the collaboration between the hospital and the university shows how creative partnerships can have a positive impact on public spaces. She believes that working with young artists not only makes the hospital more welcoming but also gives students a chance to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. The hospital hopes to make this project an annual event, inviting more local artists and students to create art for the hospital in the future. The cost of the murals was covered by the hospital's building budget, and the arts manager's role is funded by University Hospitals Dorset NHS Charity. The new BEACH building is designed to be modern and surrounded by trees, and the hospital hopes that the art will help patients and visitors feel more comfortable and at home. The students are proud to see their work displayed in such an important place and hope that their murals will brighten the days of everyone who visits the hospital. If you have a story that BBC Dorset should cover, you can contact them through their website.

The unveiling of the murals marks an exciting step in the hospital's transformation, showing how art and design can play a role in healthcare. The students worked hard to create murals that are not only visually striking but also meaningful to the local community. By including images and symbols from Dorset, they hope to make people feel proud of where they live and to offer a sense of comfort during their hospital visits. The hospital and university plan to continue working together, giving more students the opportunity to showcase their talents and make a difference in their community. The new building and its murals are just the beginning of many positive changes at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, and everyone involved is looking forward to seeing how art can continue to improve the hospital experience for years to come.