Client: Linda Plank

Overview

Donor Recognition. We needed to make the work compelling and appropriate to the culture and traditions of the Bucks County area. The idea was to create a “wow” factor, honoring the community and the donors in a unique way that would inspire and encourage additional giving. Even after the opening ceremony for the mural, an additional $500,000 was raised through donors who wanted their name to be added. Our studio created more rocks for the riverbed to make room for them.

Goals

This client is committed to commissioning art that enhances the patient experience. This was our third major project for Doylestown Hospital. They understood and bought into the concept of investing in art work as an integral part of their fundraising campaign. The mural took the form of a stylized Delaware River, complete with bridges, fields, rocks, plants and creatures. The names of donors who gave $100,000 and up are inscribed into rocks in the stream bed. These rocks have high visibility and were a strong incentive for giving at this level.

Process

From the beginning the client included us in formative design meetings. In addition to phone conferences and emails, I met with the designers at multiple times throughout the process to make sure that glaze color choices worked with interior detailing and vice versa, to go over edge detailing, lighting, side panel fabrication and many other factors. This minimized surprises and saved the clients considerable money. This spirit of collaboration extended to subcontractors and other vendors.

Additional Information

In addition to this mural, over 90 naming plaques were created - every room has one. Deep satisfaction and appreciation has been voiced by donors, staff, and patients.