06/02/2026
Creative expression can be an important part of the healing environment.
On June 1, Wesley Children's Hospital welcomed Portraits of Hope as part of its 14-state tour on a quest to visit all 50 states. The team — including founder Ed Massey, his daughter Georgi Massey and staff member Peter Olszewski — spent time with many of our patients and families, bringing hands-on art activities in our pediatric playroom and even to the bedside so children and could participate in a way that worked for them.
Portraits of Hope projects are designed for children and adults coping with serious health and physical conditions. Their adaptive tools — including telescopic paint brushes, shoe brushes and flavored mouth brushes — help make creative therapy more accessible for people with a wide range of abilities.
For Brandon Denham, 17, who participated with his mother, Jessica Denham, the visit offered a meaningful break from his hospital stay.
"It's pretty cool," Brandon said. "It's getting out stress, and it's better than sitting in my hospital room."
Artwork created at Wesley and during the national tour will be included in the Freedom 250 display in Washington this October, part of a yearlong celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
We were grateful to host Portraits of Hope for helping bring moments of creativity, connection and joy to patients like Brandon and Alivia Heckathorn, 10, while they receive care. To learn more about Wesley Children's Hospital, visit https://bit.ly/4eiUipe.
