New art studio for patients, their families set to open in January 2018

November 21, 2017

On November 9, Child Life held a special event to dedicate a new art studio in the Zone for patients and their families. Texas Children’s Hospital is grateful for the generosity of Harrison’s Heroes, a local organization that will fund the art studio.

Harrison’s Heroes Art Studio will be an intimate space for patients and their families to come together and create special moments and various pieces of art. It will serve as a positive outlet and space for patients to share their feelings, perspective and build their legacy. As these patients are going through a difficult illness, the studio will offer a special time for bonding and expression for the entire family.

“We want to give our patients an opportunity to feel normal throughout their hospital experience but to also give them an avenue to tell their story by creating paintings, videos, stories, quilts and other forms of art,” said Child Life Manager Diane Kaulen. “For patients who are isolated in their room due to their illness, Harrison’s Heroes has donated mobile art carts that bring the elements of the art studio to the bedside.”

The space will be staffed by Texas Children’s child life specialists who provide developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions for children undergoing medical treatment. Child life services help children effectively cope with a diagnosis, treatment or hospital stay and provide emotional and psychosocial interventions to hospitalized children based on individual needs.

Harrison’s Heroes was named in memory of Shanoop Kothari’s son, Harrison, who passed away from his illness at the age of 2.

Click here to watch a KPRC video about Harrison’s Heroes and the new art studio at Texas Children’s Hospital, which is scheduled to open in January 2018.