Nonprofit organization Paint Love, Inc. is bringing joy to the patients, families and volunteers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta this spring and summer with the creation of a giant under-the-sea-themed mural.

Paint Love brings extraordinary art projects to youth facing poverty and trauma through love and art and love of art. The organization provides its expertise through local, acclaimed artists and art supplies to teach lessons, share stories and provide words of encouragement to help children fully embrace the masterpieces they create.

The 80-foot mural, which will be divided into eight 10-foot panels, was conceived by Children’s artist-in-resident Margaret Crane and designed by Paint Love artist Simone Wilson. Paint Love staff and volunteers will lead Egleston patients, families and hospital volunteers to paint sections of the giant plywood mural between now and August.

Founded in 2016, the Artist-in-Residence program at Children’s employs a full-time artist at two different hospital locations to bring therapeutic and fun art projects to patients and help them feel like kids again.

“Art provides pediatric patients a voice to express themselves along with a creative outlet during their recovery process,” said Crane. “Bright, colorful art is an impactful way to help children lessen their fear and feel more at ease while in a hospital.”

The second phase of the sea creature mural will include dozens of custom laser-cut under sea animals like fish and crabs, which will be transported room-to-room throughout the hospital for patients who are not mobile enough or unable to participate during the garden event, ensuring that every child who wants to participate is able to.

“We want to make sure that the first thing kids see before they enter the doors of the hospital is full of color and hope,” said Paint Love executive director Laura Shaw. “Thanks to this project, a corner of Children’s parking deck will be brought to life and will help kids feel calm and assured in a big, potentially scary, place while also including them in the creation process!”

This project is sponsored in part by Gas South and Brasfield & Gorrie Construction, which is donating the plywood and paint, and installing the mural upon completion. The Children’s Artist-in-Residence program is fully funded by individual donors, and Paint Love is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization that relies on community and donor support to help reach close to 10,000 children each year.

A second Paint Love mural, with a whimsical animal theme, is in progress at Scottish Rite hospital and will also be completed by the end of summer.