Mary Fusco paints dozens of gorgeous, peaceful images directly on ceiling tiles that are installed in areas of the hospital where patients gaze upward during a medical procedure. “People need people to bear their burdens and their joys and this is my way of providing a sentiment of comfort. I work to make soothing scenes and colorful abstracts for patient rooms and treatment areas. When I do, I meditate deeply on the people who will be viewing them,” she says.
She sets up her paints and easel in the Cancer Institute lobby monthly so that people waiting for appointments can enjoy watching the creative process of the painting. The ceiling tiles become a joyful part of the hospital environment. The artwork adds one more dimension to patient care letting people know someone is making an effort to add to their comfort.
Mary has also led a painting workshop for patients and their caregivers, in which she teaches basic visual art principals. During her workshops individuals create their own masterpieces. Step-by-step instruction guides them through the completion of a personalized painting by the workshop’s end. The soothing art of painting complements the healing process nicely in this series, where there opportunities to creatively express emotion through art.
Mary enjoys working primarily with acrylics. A resident of Mount Joy, Pa., Mary works professionally as creative director for the Lancaster-based furniture store, INTERIORS HOME. She is an ordained deacon of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Harrisburg, Pa., where she also serves on the praise, arts, and ministry training teams. She is a founding member of 61 Arts, a Christian painting group based in Central Pennsylvania.
She says, “My fondest joy is to paint for treatment and healing spaces. I feel that God works through me to paint the right image for people that will provide comfort during stressful moments. As a former breast cancer patient at the The Penn State Hershey Breast Center, and I would like to thank and acknowledge Dr. Rena Kass for connecting me with Center Stage, its director, Claire, and this wonderful program. It means so much for me to share my experience with others facing difficulty journeys.”
Find out when you can see Mary doing plein air painting here.