Monday, November 16, 2020 – Three murals by artist Frank Parga enliven Coler’s walls
Monday, November 16, 2020
Our 211th Edition
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
OFFICE OF QUALITY AND SAFETY
ARTS IN MEDICINE
Laurie M. Tisch
ILLUMINATION FUND
THE ICONIC TRAM IS RIDING HIGH
WHAT IS ARTS IN MEDICINE ?
Using the Arts – visual art collection, art-making, music, dance, literature, architecture and more – to enhance
patience experience and outcomes as well as the resiliency of medical professionals, family members and other caregivers in clinical settings.
IMAGES OF COLER STAFF AND RESIDENTS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE MURAL
ARTIST FRANK PARGA AND STAFF MEMBER
JAVIER, ONE OF THE COLER RESIDENT ARTISTS IS REPRESENTED ON THE MURAL
ABOUT THE ARTIST
FRANK PARGA
Frank Parga is an artist currently living and working in Brooklyn, NY. He received a Bachelor of Fine arts degree in Painting with a minor in Sculpture from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art from NYU in 2002. Frank is a professional Artist and Muralist who works as an educator and mentor for youth from elementary schools to the university level. Frank is currently Director of Education at One River School of Art and Design in Larchmont, NY.
THE LIGHTHOUSE BEAMS OUT IN THE HALLWAY
HEALING HANDS ARE REPRESENTED ON THE MURAL.
JUDITH BERDY AND ROBERT HUGHES AT THE EVENT
PART OF EACH OTHER’S LIVES
The mural created alongside staff and residents NYC Health +Hospitals Coler is reflective of their sense of unity and extended family as well as Roosevelt Island itself. The larger wall shows some of the staff and residents that exemplify the caring compassion that is displayed everyday. It is a safe haven for residents with outdoors spaces, a garden and magnolia trees (which are in the background of the large wall). The is a real sense of unity at Coler which is represented by the large “Helping Hands” in the center The hands are the people all representative of the diversity that exists at Coler. As stated by one of the residents “Coler is home to many. We are like a big extended family.”
The other two walls incorporate iconic landmarks from Roosevelt Island . The first is the lighthouse located at the northern end of the island. The second is the aerial tramway that connects Manhattan to the Island. Both images are surrounded by and at times disappear into a background of trees and leaves. This is representative of nature on the island and can give a sense of outdoors while inside.
The mural Incorporated a wide range of colors. This is intended to brighten the space as well as represent the trees and flowers of the island. These bold colors are also reflective of the diversity of the staff and residents.
MONDAY PHOTO OF THE DAY
SEND YOUR SUGGESTION TO
ROOSEVLTISLANDHISTORY@GMAIL.COM
WIN A SMALL TRINKET FROM THE RIHS VISITOR CENTER KIOSK.
WE CAN ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE 3 WINNERS EVERY DAY.
THANKS, EVERYONE WHO IS NOT MENTIONED. WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST
MOMO, Coler’s healing hound was an eager member of the audience.
She will be glad to accept your donation of $20- for a mug with
her image.
WEEKEND IMAGE
LOBBY OF 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
THOM HEYER, ALEXIS VILLEFANE AND JAY JACOBSON ARE THE WINNERS
EDITORIAL
I was excited to be invited to be included in an initial focus group for the new Coler mural. Today the final murals are finished and now in the main hallway for all to see.
This is a wonderful addition to the Department of Therapeutic Recreation where staff and residents will see new visions of our unique Coler and RI. It comes to Coler at a time in our history and that of Coler has been challenged and daily must be reminded of the world beyond our garden. At a time of year when the leaves are falling and autumn is setting in, this joyous expression will be even more appreciated in winter.
Coler serves as a home for 500 New Yorkers It is a place of healing, restoration and engagement. The mural will become a hub of socially distanced socializing.
The joy of bright colors and the intimacy of the artwork will remind all of the wonderful community Coler is located in. From the historic lighthouse, just a few yards north to our wonderful tram that brings so many to discover the island.
The Coler community welcomes this mural and our thanks again are to the Laurie Tisch Illumination Foundation.
Text by Judith Berdy Thanks to Bobbie Slonevsky
for her dedication to Blackwell’s Almanac
Thanks to Deborah Dorff for maintaining our website
Edited by Melanie Colter and Deborah Dorff
All materials in this publication are copyrighted (c)
JUDITH BERDY – Photos
NYC Health + Hospitals
Laurie Tisch Illumination Foundation
Robert Hughes, Executive Director, Coler
MATERIAL COPYRIGHT WIKIPEDIA, GOOGLE RIHS ARCHIVES AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION (C)
FUNDING BY ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION PUBLIC PURPOSE FUNDING
DISCRETIONARY FUNDING BY COUNCIL MEMBER BEN KALLOS THRU NYC DYCD
Copyright © 2020 Roosevelt Island Historical Society, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
rooseveltislandhistory@gmail.com
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