Paintings Donated to Pediatric Ward

If smiles, laughter and good spirits help ailing children recover, then children at the pediatric ward at Los Robles Regional Medical Center may be released sooner rather than later, thanks to two new artworks in the Thousand Oaks hospital.

Anna Parris of Thousand Oaks donated two oil paintings to the pediatric ward last week.

This is the first time art has been donated to the pediatric ward, said Lynnette Wong, manager of the hospital’s children’s services.

“We’re thrilled she thought of us,” Wong said. “We needed some bright colors in here--something the kids will be able to enjoy.”

Until last week, only two small paintings of pink flowers next to water cans filled the hallway. Now two large oil paintings in bright reds, greens, blues, purples and yellows fill the hallway.

As children and parents come up to the pediatric ward, the first painting they see is “Glass Menagerie” opposite the elevators. The painting is of 17 two-inch-tall glass animals in a variety of colors overlapping each other on an orange glass plate. Parris estimates its value at $5,000.

The other painting, “Bobcat and Joey,” is next to the pediatric nurses’ station. The work, named after Parris’ grandsons, is a depiction of a baby kangaroo and a bobcat.

“This has a whimsical feel for children,” the 45-year-old Parris said. “I thought these should hang someplace where children would get use out of the paintings and enjoy them. What better place than a hospital?”

Parris also has created murals at Park Oaks and University elementary schools.