Local artists use talents to show support for health care workers fighting COVID-19

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As the pandemic rages on, doctors and nurses on the front lines are battling burnout and exhaustion.

A group of Charlotte artists, including Luz Aveleyra, is showing health care workers that the community values and appreciates them.

“Emotionally and psychologically, you cannot remove yourself from what’s going on,” Aveleyra said.

From the comfort of her home studio, Aveleyra said she and other artists created more than 300 calming images for nurses and other employees of Atrium and Novant Health hospitals.

“Over here I have my watercolors,” Aveleyra gestured.

There’s no set of rules, only that the artwork is small. And for the former librarian turned part-time painter, her go-to medium is watercolors.

“I buy the cards and the envelope and then I make a watercolor painting. It’s all original,” Aveleyra said.

The latest batch of cards is on display just in time for Valentine’s Day. The artwork is then donated to the hospitals’ Code Lavender program, which offers support to stressed-out health care workers.

Chelsy Mitchell is the chaplain for Novant’s Oncology and Cardiac unit. She ensures the artwork goes to frontline workers who need a boost of something beautiful.

“These are things that are treasured from someone personally,” Mitchell said, “Some of them are little quilt squares, some of them are paintings and a lot of them have messages on the back.”

It’s a small show of support that can have a lasting impact, especially after working 12-hour days -- and Aveleyra hopes the community joins in.

“This should not end here. It’s just so satisfying. It’s satisfying personally as well as for the recipients,” Aveleyra said.

Novant hopes to collect 10 to 15 pieces of artwork per month.

If you’re an artist that would like to participate, you can email healthhumanities@novanthealth.org.

Health care workers who need emotional support can click here for more information.

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Cox Media Group