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Rooftop Art at Longs Peak Hospital

Longs Peak Hospital has implemented a mural project on its rooftop to provide a brighter and more uplifting view for patients staying at the hospital.

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

UCHealth Rooftop Art (Photo provided by UCHealth)

Longs Peak Hospital has implemented a mural project on its rooftop to provide a brighter and more uplifting view for patients staying at the hospital.

The project was made possible by the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation, who sought to beautify the 55 formerly plain metal panels located on the north side of the building through artwork.

According to Ashley Kasprzak, the development officer of the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation, “The mission of the Longs Peak Hospital Foundation is to fill gaps not covered by insurance for our patients, to support innovation throughout our hospitals, and help grateful patients give back. The mural project fit within filling gaps for patients in a way, because they are patients who are on the second and third floors and they had a view of the rooftop and equipment that was pretty grey. Insurance wasn’t going to pay, and our hospital capital budget wasn’t able to pay to beautify the rooftop, so we took foundation dollars from individual donors to work with an artist and improve the space.”

The foundation teamed up with a local artist, as well as Longmont based art manufacturer DuraPlaq, in order to create and implement the final design, which was printed onto a series of metal sheets through a fusion process where the color is imbedded into the metal rather than set as an overlay.

UCHealth Rooftop Art (Photo provided by UCHealth)

The artist initially conceptualized six potential designs which the Patient Family Advisory council at the hospital chose from. Some of the other possible designs were very abstract, with pink and purple colored circles, or more simplistic with eagle-like birds falling across the frame. Many of the possible designs incorporated mountains, but the committee eventually settled on the final product after one committee member in particular was especially drawn to the mountain scene, saying that she could envision being in a hospital bed and pretending that she was going for a drive in the mountains, and being a really positive mental escape for her.

UCHealth Rooftop Art (Photo photo courtesy of DuraPlaq)

“Through this project, our donors have been able to improve the patient experience,” said Ashley Kasprzak. “Artwork can bring joy and joy can bring healing.”

Andrew Deschenes, a manager at DuraPlaq, added, “We hope it will provide a sense of comfort and tranquility to all who see it.”