GREENSBURG — Their theme this time around was “Caring for the Community.” For the second consecutive semester, local high school students in Decatur County provided pieces of artwork to the Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) for a gallery and a student art reception.
On Wednesday, nine students across three schools, through pieces of art, depicted “caring.”
From Greensburg Community High School (GCHS): Emma Overmyer, Nathan Deiwert, Cameron Jones, Devon Chance and Rhegan Day. From North Decatur Junior-Senior High School: Bobbie Bialk, Amanda Low and Alexis Brandenburg. From South Decatur Junior-Senior High School: Jessica Heald.
DCMH Marketing Coordinator Mary Angle talked about the variety of work presented to the hospital, as well as the theme of this year’s project.
“That’s one of our main focuses for our mission statement, so we wanted to pick a theme that could relate closely to the hospital, and obviously the students took it in very different directions,” Angle said. “But they all show a way that is caring for the community.”
For the hospital, it was also important to provide patients and guests with beautiful pieces of art to admire while walking down that hallway.
“It’s just kind of a way that we can connect with our patients on another level, so that’s been our biggest drive for this,” Angle said.
During the reception, first, second and third place prizes were awarded to three of the students. Cameron Jones took home third, Nathan Deiwert with second and the grand prize went to Emma Overmyer.
Following the reception, Deiwert said his art teacher, Dustin Smith, encouraged him to enter his painting of a puppy, which according to Angle, had been admired by guests. However, Deiwert didn’t know what to expect.
“I didn’t know what to expect coming into this contest and I’m really excited that I got second place,” Deiwert said.
Similarly, Smith’s encouragement led yet another GCHS student, Overmyer, to participate. The student has participated in the past, but again wanted to contribute more art to the hospital. As for earning first place, she said she wasn’t expecting it at all.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I was just kind of nonchalant, like, ‘Hey, I just wanted to do something and get something out there,’” Overmyer said. “I did it before and enjoyed coming here and having the artwork shown.”
Again, providing pieces of artwork for patients and guests played a significant role in this. Angle explained in part by saying that it wasn’t just about putting something on the wall, but a way to connect with patients on another level.
“That really meant something to me, because I’ve always wanted to help people any way I can,” Deiwert said. “Growing up, I’ve always wanted to help people, and by doing this, I can help people.”
It also noted that an exchange student from North Decatur Junior-Senior High School, Amanda Low, participated in an art competition for the first time after encouragement from teacher Marci Ping.
“My teacher encouraged me to and I’m very thankful for her,” Low said. “It was great.”
For those interested, the art projects can be found in the hallway across from the new pharmacy at DCMH. The new pharmacy will open to public on June 1.
Contact: Joshua Heath, 812-663-3111 x7401; joshua.heath@greensburgdailynews.com