A young asain girl in a purple raincoat with orange rainboots is marching through the rain holding an umbrella standing next to the boy in the green sweater with shnauzer by his side. Boy in green sweater and driver's cap with a scarf, holds an umbrella. A miniature shnauzer sits patiently beside him. Imagine sculpture installation, Children's HOspital and Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska.
A young asain girl in a purple raincoat with orange rainboots is marching through the rain holding an umbrella standing next to the boy in the green sweater with shnauzer by his side. Boy in green sweater and driver's cap with a scarf, holds an umbrella. A miniature shnauzer sits patiently beside him. Imagine sculpture installation, Children's HOspital and Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska.
Boy in green sweater and driver's cap with a scarf, holds an umbrella. A miniature shnauzer sits patiently beside him. Imagine sculpture installation, Children's HOspital and Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska.
Three bronze children holding umbrellas. A small Boy in an orange raincoat holds a closed umbrella, the african american girl in the middle wearing a purple jumper holind an umbrella above her head. The boy on the end wearing a turquoise rain coat and orange rain boots is holding a copper umbrella. Imagine Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Three bronze children holding umbrellas. A small Boy in an orange raincoat holds a closed umbrella, the african american girl in the middle wearing a purple jumper holind an umbrella above her head. The boy on the end wearing a turquoise rain coat and orange rain boots is holding a copper umbrella. Imagine Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
Three bronze children holding umbrellas. A small Boy in an orange raincoat holds a closed umbrella, the african american girl in the middle wearing a purple jumper holind an umbrella above her head. The boy on the end wearing a turquoise rain coat and orange rain boots is holding a copper umbrella. Imagine Children's Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

Brown Bears

Location: Omaha Children’s Hospital and Medical Center – Omaha, Nebraska

Size: 2 feet – 6 feet tall

Materials: Bronze

Date: 2021

Overview

Overview

In 2021, Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska added a new wing which added another 500,000 square feet to the existing 250,000 square feet. The new addition includes a helipad, more than 70 patient rooms, a solarium, cafeteria, and family lounge areas. I was approached by the board of directors and hospital donors to create a series of bronze, brown bear sculptures to be placed around the hospital. The bears act as wayfinding markers around the hospital and create a unique, interactive experience for patients, visitors, and staff. The bears are placed in main locations around the hospital, but a few are tucked in “hiding” places, making a fun easter-egg game for patients to find. It is my goal for this sculpture installation that the bears enhance the environment by adding a sense of joy, playfulness, warmth, and comfort. I hope that in the many years to come, the bears represent the nurturing care that is provided at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center.

 

 

 

 Thomas Grady Photography