The Children’s Hospital of Ann Arbor, Michigan added Pamela Alderman’s artwork to their art cart, or better known as the beloved art cart.

Two or three times a week, a volunteer pushes the art cart around the 200 rooms of the hospital. The art cart is loaded with artwork by various artists. For the duration of their hospitalization, children can personalize their rooms by selecting paintings.

The colorful paintings beautify the rooms and give the children a sense of ownership. This Gift of the Arts program not only promotes a healing environment, but the artwork also helps the children to reflect on something other than their illness. When the volunteers knock on the door, the children’s faces brighten as the beloved art cart enters their room.