Spreading kindness through art: Community, unity emphasized in new student exhibit

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Winning student artists gathered at a reception May 18 to celebrate a new exhibit about community and unity at Hancock Regional Hospital.

Submitted photo

GREENFIELD – Community, kindness and unity shine through in vivid color and imagination in a new art exhibit by local students at Hancock Regional Hospital.

The Hancock County Kids’ Art Contest was hosted this spring in partnership with Greenfield-Community, Hancock Health and Healthy365 Connection Center. Over 140 K-12 student entries were submitted, with winning artists coming from every school corporation throughout Hancock County.

On May 18, winners attended a reception and received a cash prize, art supply baskets and recognition – mixed in with a bit of fun with Hank, the orange kindness frog and mascot of Hancock Health.

The new exhibit can be seen in a hallway between the emergency department and cardiac departments of the hospital, with a bright orange painting of “Hank’s Hoppy Hall” leading the way.

“We are excited to display the artwork of our youngest community residents,” said Hancock Health CEO Steve Long in a press release. “It is a cheerful symbol of hope that both our staff and patients will enjoy for months to come.”

First place winners in each age category were Marmina Rafael, grades K-2; Abigail Wasson, grades 3-4; Camilla Aldridge, grades 5-6; Fallyn White, grades 7-8; Penelope Dearth, grades 9-10; and Brianna McConnell, grades 11-12.

Second place winners were Johnny Mackey, grades K-2; Avery Breberich, grades 3-4; Dellen Douglass, grades 5-6; Kennedy Tooke grades 7-8; and Grace Combs, grades 9-10.

Third place winners were Paisley Fields, grades K-2; Kaylee Ford grades 3-4; Quinn Muterspaugh, grades 5-6; Madi Moss, grades 7-8; and Savanah Hardin, grades 9-10.

The top 15 artist entries were also posted on the Greenfield-Community Facebook page for a People’s Choice award. Page followers selected Marmina Rafael’s contest submission for first place, Fallyn White for second and Penelope Dearth for third.

Winning entries that were submitted through a local classroom teacher or art teacher also earned grants. Greenfield-Central teachers that will receive grants include Laura Salee, Lyndsay Ortwein, Donna Knecht-Strong, Monica Holden and Lisa Sears. Mt. Vernon teachers who will receive grants include Jessica Buell, Lydgia Palmer, Jeff Crague and Steven Wheeler. Southern Hancock teacher Dawn Lowe will also receive a grant.

Greenfield Community is a collaboration between the City of Greenfield, Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation, Hancock Health and NineStar Connect to provide a concise place for “all things Greenfield.” Learn more about upcoming events, local restaurants and shops, community news and Greenfield culture by visiting greenfield-community.com.