Manitoba-inspired art in CK5 ward to brighten HSC Children’s Hospital in Winnipeg

Bringing hope, inspiration, and a touch of Manitoba’s natural beauty, 20 new pieces of artwork are transforming the walls of the CK5 cancer, blood disorders, and transplant ward at HSC Children’s Hospital.

The artwork, featuring nature and animal themes inspired by Manitoba landscapes and wildlife, is part of a broader $3-million renovation campaign for the ward, led in partnership with the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and Graffiti Art Programming.

Manager of the CK5 unit, Dana August, said the artwork was selected carefully to ensure it would appeal to patients of all ages while helping create a peaceful atmosphere.

“We wanted to make sure it’s not going to be too overstimulating or hallucinating,” August said. “With having a variety of ages from 0 to 17, we want something that the kids will enjoy.”

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba president and CEO Stefano Grande said the artwork was intended to improve the experience for children facing serious illness.

“To improve the lives of kids during a difficult time in their health journey, we thought adding art to the rooms would increase a child’s healing, improve patient care, and show families and kids that the community cares,” Grande said.

Grande said each piece was chosen to reflect strength, courage, and hope.

“All these polar bears here are majestic and courageous and beautiful, just like the kids,” he said.

Laura Fitzcadick, co-chair of the art selection committee, said the artwork plays an important role in helping children and families maintain hope during treatment.

“It’s so important that art is in there and they don’t lose sight of the hope they have and want to put the fight in to get through and past it,” Fitzcadick said. “Having art on the walls rather than just bland pale yellow standard hospital colours makes a difference.”

Fitzcadick says that the kids are going through really tough situations, but hopes they can find some joy in the art.

“My hope is that they enjoy this more than staring at a blank wall. Lots of the art is really intricate, so I feel like staring at them, and they can find different things in them as they sit there.”

The final collection was selected from 165 submissions by a committee made up of health-care experts, donors, and families. The chosen artists represent a variety of cultural backgrounds and artistic styles.

Among them is artist Cassidy Reigner, whose northern lights-themed installation includes an interactive glow-in-the-dark feature that allows children to add stars during their hospital stay.

“I was inspired by the northern lights because I find them very peaceful and calming,” Reigner said.

She said the idea came from her own childhood memories of decorating her bedroom ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars.

“I used to do that in my bedroom all the time,” she said. “I would make constellations of the Big Dipper and stuff.”

The artwork will eventually be installed throughout patient rooms, hallways, kitchens, and family spaces as construction on the CK5 ward continues over the coming months.

The renovation project also includes upgraded technology, new bedside equipment, furniture improvements, kitchen upgrades, and refreshed family spaces throughout the ward.

The partnership with Graffiti Art Programming Inc., a Winnipeg-based community youth arts centre that offers free art programming and exhibition space for children and youth.