Photos by: Jason DiMichele
“One of the intrinsic goals of the Fine Arts Society of Milton (FASM) has been to engage the community in art appreciation, with an emphasis on local talent.” said FASM President Ursula McDermid as she described how in November of 2015, she met with the officials of the Milton District Hospital Expansion to consider bringing local art to the newly developed hospital. “We simply could not resist this opportunity,” she said “just as we could not resist creating our Pan Am Mural which now hangs in the Velodrome. This mural being created for the expansion of the Milton District Hospital is a creation which is typical of the cooperation … of the talented artists that belong to FASM.
“The title of the mural ‘Milton’s Nature Warms the Soul’ captures the cozy and nurturing feeling of the hospital’s interior design. The foyer has warm colours and comforting textures that along with the mural, with its soft muted tones is the perfect prescription for a tranquil and calming visit.
“We look forward to sharing our masterpiece with the Milton residents and all the visitors and patients of our new facility in the coming months and years.”
Local artist Tina Newlove explained: “Last summer Ursula asked if I would submit a design … and while working on it at the FASM Gallery at the Mall it was a happy happenstance that (local sculptor) Nancy (Cuttle) stopped by. We excitedly discussed the possibilities of the design and paper sculpture and from there collaboration was born. My design was to include the healing aspects of nature, the escarpment and the seasons… Our volunteers are fantastic and it’s been great to get to know more FASM members as we work together … We couldn’t do it without all the community support!”
Since early 2017 members of FASM have spent countless hours working on the construction and painting of the huge mural in an empty store in the Milton Mall. Special movers have been hired to eventually move the heavy, cumbersome 33’artwork from there into its place in the Milton District Hospital.
On her blog, Tina emphasises that “Nancy Cuttle (Sculptor) has been instrumental in working out sizes, materials and implementing the bas-relief sculptural qualities of the design. The mural (is) painted in acrylics over the primed and textured bas-relief sculpture on wooden panels 8 x 8′, 8 x 16′ and 8 x 8′.” Also Tina extends her thanks to Ursula McDermid, (President of the Fine Arts Society of Milton) through whose initiative FASM partnered with the Halton Healthcare Redevelopment Group to create the mural and to display several other brilliant works by local artists in the newly expanded hospital. tinanewlove.com fasm.ca
