History making art makes its way to Santa Cruz and Monterey County hospitals

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION)

Artists from all over are making one of a kind memories as a symbol of support for front liners battling the COVID-19 pandemic in a movement that is now called “Surviving COVID.”

Dozens of COVID-19 inspired paintings specially created by community members of all ages are making their way to the halls and break rooms of hospitals across Santa Cruz County.

The movement was created by a local nurse who is seeing the fight against the virus firsthand and can relate to the struggles and emotions of healthcare workers across the globe.

She put out the word to the community to create and donate their art to remind these workers that they are not alone in their journey and received an overwhelming out pour of support.

“I just really wanted the healthcare workers to feel a sense of humanity and connection with the rest of the world. We’re breaking a lot of rules that we used to have in place, hospitals weren’t allowed to put up artwork with artists’ names and all of a sudden all these new things were possible,” says Tawnya Gilbert.

These paintings are laminated for sanitation purposes and touch on themes like hope, unity, and loss.

So far, they have been donated to 5 medical sites including Watsonville Hospital, Dominican Hospital and Sutter Main Clinic in Santa Cruz but Gilbert says she plans to expand further out to more areas including Monterey County.

A Go Fund Me has been set up to help with printing and laminating costs.

For more information on how to contribute, email lokilove28@gmail.com