Project Scope
This mural covers one wall, floor to ceiling and around part of the reception desk, to be viewed while in the children’s waiting area. It was created using light fast photographic prints, with a tough textured laminate, permanently wallpapered directly to the wall.
Overview
We realised from the very beginning that a heritage mural would be totally out of place in the new Children’s Emergency Waiting Room at King’s Mill Hospital. We needed to promote that the Trustees of the Mansfield Gospel Mission Church had given a very substantial donation, to enable the department to be stocked with much needed specialised medical equipment, toys and play equipment. But, at the same time create a display that was bright, cheerful and appealing to children and young people for years to come.
Taking on board the fact that a major part of the ministry at The Mission was for the welfare of local children, and included many musical activities, greatly influenced our initial concept. We had been supplied with many historical photos at The Mission, but one little photo of a young girl dressed in her uncle’s oversized brass band jacket, and blowing on a tuba totally inspired us! She is Dorothy Knight, granddaughter of one of the original trustees and pictured above.
After hand colouring her photo, the little girl was set in an illustrated garden scene of blowsy hollyhocks, swaying daisies, fluttering butterflies and gliding dragonflies. Illustrated ribbons 'snake' their way out of the tuba and frame the wording; "The Gospel Mission helped fund this Emergency Department for Children and Young People specially for YOU!"
In this engaging, colourful mural the little girl playing the tuba features at child-height, which is also perfect for people to view whilst sitting in the waiting area. An historical photo taken inside The Gospel Mission was positioned alongside a brief resume of its history, at an ideal height to be read by adults whilst waiting at the reception desk.
There was a Dedication Ceremony on Tuesday 9 November, where hospital staff proudly demonstrated how the Mission's large donation has been utilised and everyone who had been involved with the mural was invited to view the proceeds of their generosity. This included the grandchildren of one of the original trustees, John George Brown, and also Bernard Moody, Minister for 20 years at The Gospel Mission who said prayers, blessing the new department. BBC Radio Nottingham, recorded the ceremony. |
