Penn State Health | Arts Fest
From Our Kids to Your Kids - Banner Process Gallery

Look what we did together!

Kids from State College region and kids & families at Penn State Health Children's Hospital in Hershey hand-painted these murals together!

The design, created by Murals Talk, was painted in two stages. First it was painted at Arts Fest by local kids and families. The mural was then taken to the Children's Hospital in Hershey, where patients and families added their artistic flair. Finishing touches were provided by Pam Etters, founder of Murals Talk, who also graciously led the onsite painting days in both locations.

The State College care teams of Penn State Health are proud to be able to provide this fun and creative outlet that reminds all of us that we are connected and that life can be messy, but it can be fun and beautiful at the same time.

A young kid with a cool dinosaur hat hitting a cool pose while he paints the canvas.
A young girl with her face painted, adding her creative flair in pink to the canvas.
A father sits with both his kiddos on his lap, the three of them working together to add to the painting.
Two kiddos working together to add cool portraits to the puzzle piece side of the banner.
A young teen adds his own personal get well soon message to the mural.
A close-up photo of someone's finished puzzle piece! They added a super cool and happy ninja to the mural.
Illustration: A column of rainbow handprints.
A work-in-progress shot of the reverse side of the mural with a few hand prints started on the trail between health centers.
Photo of a patient sitting at their hospital bed, a big smile on their face as they get to paint their own picture for the mural.
A younger girl painting at a table with various bottles of paint scattered around in front of her.
Top-down view of a child from the children's hospital painting a rainbow with the word

First Year & First Place! ––––––

Scanned photo of Penn State Health's 2024 Arts Fest banner. The left shows the front of the banner, a single young deer in a field of flowers. The right shows the back of the banner, two white deer wading in a pond at night.

The Meaning Behind The Murals (2023)

Daytime Side: Daytime represents new beginnings, new life, rejuvenation, and healing. The young deer represents regeneration with a full life ahead of him. Spiritually, the deer represents faithfulness and devotion. The field of flowers represents prosperity, growth, and a new phase of life.

Nighttime Side: The night sky symbolizes the opportunity for your body to rest and rejuvenate. The star is a beacon of hope – shining light that guides the way. It’s a symbol of positivity, happiness, and renewal. The white deer represents springing forward and upward; they act as guides leading you onward to leap over difficulties, face new adventures, and to reach higher goals! In the calm water, the deer feel refreshed and relaxed. The lotus flowers represent creation and rebirth.

In the foreground: a young boy is adding a healthy dose of orange to one of the canvases. In the background - volunteers are in a conversation together.
The kids of Hershey adding in their own colorful flair to the banner.
A closeup of an older adolescent patient happily stamping her hand down as part of the banner's design.
An artistic shot of a girl working on the daytime deer painting.
A row of chalk kid drawings

Penn State Health – State College
Benner Pike  |  Park Ave  |  Colonnade  |  Windmere

Penn State Health – State College
Benner Pike  |  Park Ave  |  Colonnade  |  Windmere