July 8, 2024

Things Are Looking Up: The Mac Med Mural Project Promotes Healing Through Ceiling Tile Art

Early last year, a group of McMaster medical students brought the Mac Med Mural Project to St. Joe’s. These students with creative skills that rival their medical know-how, created over 40 unique works of art to help beautify the hospital. But the paintings have an unusual canvas…a ceiling tile.  

Project co-founders Tara Behroozian and Sanjum Hunjan shared that their inspiration for this project came from increasing evidence that artwork in healthcare settings makes the space more welcoming, and in some cases, decreases the anxiety that many patients feel when they’re inside a clinical setting. 

Sold online via St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton’s much-beloved gift shop, purchasers can choose their favourite painting, request its installation in a patient care area that’s meaningful to them, and even add a plaque to dedicate the ceiling tile to a loved one.  
 
Recently, the first three sponsored ceiling tiles were installed at St. Joe’s. Featuring cute puppies and beautiful landscapes, these works of art are brightening up a waiting room, patient lounge, and an elevator lobby!

Karin Dearness, a Librarian at the Charlton Campus Library purchased ‘Whiskered Companions’ on behalf of St. Joe’s Library Services. Karin shared “I love the idea that the art created in the program not only helps to provide a creative outlet for medical students but then has the added benefit of being accessible to patients and visitors.”  

Karin felt drawn to this ceiling tile as she felt that this design might remind viewers of a cat they know, diverting their attention to a joyful place or memory. She also highlighted that the piece paid tribute to the long history cats and libraries share, as in the past many libraries (including hospital ones) kept cats to keep mice at bay (fun fact; the library at the Hamilton General Hospital had a library cat all the way up to the 1980s!). 

By purchasing a Ceiling Tile artwork for installation, your donation can make a positive impact on the lives of patients and healthcare workers, while fostering creativity and compassion among medical students. Tiles can be sponsored in honour or in memory of a loved one, or simply as a way to give back to St. Joe’s. 

To view the selection of one-of-a-kind ceiling tiles, or to donate, visit our Gift Shop Website.