The community art project features a mosaic of paintings by patients, parents, health professionals, donors, and famous Quebec artists

The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation unveiled a stunning mural today. The breathtaking piece of art graces the entrance to The Montreal Children’s Hospital (The Children’s). It features a majestic humpback whale and her calf swimming with the Montreal skyline in the background.

The mural, Precious Bonds, is the first major installation of The Children’s Foundation’s Healing Arts Project, which aims to transform the hospital environment with innovative, kid-friendly art projects designed to uplift and inspire children and families. The pieces will capture the province's rural and urban character and reflect the scope of creative talent in Montreal and Quebec.

A children’s hospital is a very special place

Children have unique needs and require surroundings that cater to their development and care. Decades of research show a hospital's physical environment significantly impacts patients' healing and resilience, which is crucial in a children's hospital. This mural is an example of using art to create a soothing and healing environment that promotes patient relaxation by reducing stress, anxiety and pain levels.

A community art project

At first glance, the mural, measuring eight meters high by five meters wide, appears to be a singular image. Upon closer inspection, it reveals itself as a mosaic of 750 individually painted tiles. These tiles were lovingly created by the hospital's community of patients, parents, health professionals, volunteers, donors, and renowned Quebec artists.

Patients enthusiastically approved the mural

“When my then 8-year-old son Benji saw the rendering of the whales, his eyes lit up. I was in a meeting with members of the Healing Arts Committee, and we were trying to decide on the final image for the mural, and Benji’s spontaneous reaction clinched it. The whales won!” recalls Robert Bloom, a parent of two children who frequently visit The Children’s.

A committee of physicians, staff, infection prevention and control specialists, parents, and art experts oversee the Healing Arts Project, ensuring the selected designs promote a strong sense of caring. The goal is for children and parents walking through the hospital to feel it is a special place where they are in good hands.

Renée Vézina, President of The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, shared her vision: “During my first visit to the new Children’s on the Glen Site, I was struck by how modern and state of the art the new building was. However, I noticed how similar The Children’s design was to the adult hospital next door. When I joined the Foundation, one of my goals was to work with the staff, patients, Quebec artists and our incredible donors to create a more welcoming kid-friendly environment.”

Lewis Lavoie, a visual artist with Mural Mosaic, designed the mural. Kits containing tiles and paint were distributed to community members, who each created a mini work of art. A painting party organized by the Hospital’s Child Life Department allowed hospitalized patients and those arriving for medical appointments to contribute their artistry. On the mural, you will find snowmen, Halloween pumpkins, faces, lions’ heads, flowers, sailboats, butterflies, ladybugs, a human heart and many, many teddy bears! This diverse collection of images showcases each participant's unique creativity and spirit.

Addressing the crowd gathered for the unveiling, Ms. Vézina extended her gratitude to Ms. Andrée Lafleur and Mr. Claude Bigras for their generous donation, part of which made this work of art possible.

“We are honoured to contribute to this extraordinary mural that will welcome and comfort children and their families as they arrive at The Children’s,” said Claude Bigras. "We hope it brings a sense of hope, warmth, and reassurance to every child who sees it, reminding them that a community of people care deeply about their well-being and recovery.”