The Art of Music When Creativity Heals
By Brooke McKinney Artist & Communications Manager for Art with a Heart in Healthcare
Art and music are more than creative outlets—they are essential parts of the healing process. For pediatric patients at Wolfson Children’s Hospital (WCH), the arts offer a powerful way to express emotions, process challenges, and rediscover joy during medical treatment. In collaboration with Art with a Heart in Healthcare (AWAHIH), young artists have transformed wooden guitars into vibrant visual interpretations of their favorite songs, creating an exhibition that celebrates creativity, resilience, and hope.
“The Art of Music” exhibition explores the profound connection between sound and self-expression. It shows how music sparks visual storytelling and how that creative process captures each child’s journey. Each guitar shares a personal story: a memory, an emotion, or a message the artist hopes to convey.
Miracle, 13, draws strength from “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten during some of her hardest moments. Her guitar bursts with symbols of perseverance and honors her late grandfather, who taught her piano. “No matter the circumstance,” she says, “you can overcome it.”
Jack, 10, found pure joy in “Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone. His guitar is playful and bright, with dreamy purples, a sparkling disco ball, and symbols like stars and ice cream that reflect the happiness the song brings him. “It makes me want to dance,” he says.
These works are far more than decorative. They are deeply symbolic, shaped by the perspectives of children that are facing serious illness with courage and insight.
