“Leave Your Mark” on CHoR’s downtown Richmond parking deck

This fall, you have the chance to bring a splash of imagination to our downtown parking deck as eight murals are painted on the columns in the arrival zone for the Children’s Pavilion and Children’s Tower.

Richmond artist ready to make painted animals come to life at his city’s children’s hospital

Renowned Richmond artist and VCU graduate Matt Lively will paint the series of murals on the ground level of the deck, directly across from the entrance to the main lobby. Each column will feature Virginia wildlife but how the animals are portrayed is up to your imagination—with your donation of $5 or more.

Donor suggestions may range from an otter making pancakes to a fox juggling shoes. Ideas from community members will be voted on by children in the hospital, and Matt will bring the selected ideas to life this fall. In addition, Matt will include the names of all donors to this campaign throughout the murals, giving you an opportunity to be a lasting part of our hospital.

“We know that art has a calming and healing effect on people, so we found a way to bring that feeling to everyone who comes to CHoR,” said Lauren Moore, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital Foundation. “CHoR means so much to so many people. The Leave Your Mark campaign creates a way for everyone to show their support and be a part of CHoR forever for as little as a five-dollar donation.”

An ongoing connection with CHoR

Having worked as a self-employed artist for almost 30 years, Matt’s association with CHoR runs deep. He painted a hallway mural in the redesigned Virginia Treatment Center for Children on our Brook Road campus in 2018. When the Children’s Pavilion was built in 2016, Matt painted a nearly 40-foot-wide, two-part mural in the ground level lobby. Both of these commissioned pieces drew on the James River’s natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere, incorporating playful wildlife into the scenes.

“Part of the beauty of the project is that no one knows exactly what the final piece will be. The community will shape the result,” said Matt. “I’m excited to have an opportunity to work with CHoR again and create a fun and welcoming space for all who visit.”

The campaign will extend through mid-October.

Learn more about how to Leave Your Mark and make a donation.