The Interview: Kristina Davies, 2023 Sharon Prize Winner
Kristina Davies’ Sharon Prize winning project, Messages of Hope, is a collaborative mural and fabric installation designed to foster human connection, build community, and provide a sense of hope and healing for families and young patients facing serious illness.
Working with patients and their families living at Brent’s Place, Kristina’s art workshops were designed to awaken the artist within, to allow for freedom of expression without fear of judgment, and to provide a safe space to share stories. Kristina will incorporate their artwork into a community mural which will be exhibited in The Hamilton Gallery at the Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Opening reception: January 26th at 4 pm (the show runs through the end of March).
Because the hospital is not usually open for public visitors, this is an exclusive opportunity for people to see Messages of Hope. Please RSVP at this link by Wednesday January 24.
Location: Children’s Hospital Anschutz, 13123 E 16th Ave, Aurora CO 80045. The Hamilton Gallery is located on the 1st Floor by Dazbog Coffee.
Can you share an update about how Messages of Hope, your Sharon Prize winning project, has progressed since you won the grant in June 2023?
The Sharon Prize project has progressed very well since June, and all the pieces are coming together right before the exhibition opens in The Hamilton Gallery at Children’s Hospital Colorado on January 26th. My first meetings with Brent’s Place and Children’s Hospital took place in July, where we were able to set up goals and plans, and schedule workshops and time lines.
We scheduled ten two-hour art workshops, mostly on Monday afternoons from 3–5pm. I was also able to set up an art station during the Halloween Community event, which allowed more kids and families to participate. After realizing that a lot of kids and families wanted to participate but could not because they were at the hospital or not feeling well, I began making art kits.
As the art workshops progressed, I asked kids and families if I could use their art for the exhibition (happily, everyone let me have their beautiful pieces!) I also kept all of the warm-up papers, abstract paper murals, and painted papers from the community event, knowing I would use them to create new, large works of art. From November through January, I worked on the these large pieces.
I’m very excited to share these new works and the work created by the families and kids at Children’s Hospital in the Hamilton Gallery. The exhibition, entitled Messages of Hope, opens January 26th at 4 pm and runs through March.
What have you loved about your creative process so far?
There are so many different creative experiences I have had throughout this process, and they all have been fulfilling in various ways. I loved creating the lessons for the kids and their families, especially once I figured out the best way to prepare them so that people who could not attend in person could receive a kit. I loved creating artwork from the paintings and collages done with families, especially the fabric patterns and the large heart mural. My absolute favorite, though, was sitting at the table with the families and creating art together. That brought me so much joy.
What has been your biggest ah-ha moment?
My biggest ah-ha moment was the gift of families letting me come into their space to create art with them, and it was I who learned from them… observing their courage, selflessness, love, and hope. I feel honored that they shared their stories, their humor, their passions, and their strength with me.
As you think back on your original proposal, has your project shifted in any way? If so, how and why?
When I truly think about the original proposal, to bring art lessons to kids and their families at Brent’s Place, and to create an exhibition from that work at Children’s Hospital, then I have to say, that happened! However, the ideas in my head about what it would be like and how it would evolve, changed immensely. I had to shift from what I thought would work to what actually worked, which involved making the art lessons more accessible so that people who wanted to attend but could not had the opportunity to participate as well.
Also, I had no idea what the final art would look like until just a few weeks ago! Taking the time to let the art they created become the focal point while creating new art that is cohesive and honors this experience, all while staying within the budget…that was a learning experience!
Have you collaborated with other people to create your work? If so, is there anyone in particular who has impacted your work in a meaningful way?
There are two people who really helped me throughout this experience, and none of this could have happened without them! Caitlin McPherson is the family support coordinator, and they helped me schedule all of the lessons, made sure the space was available and ready, stayed with us during the lessons, and notified the families of each upcoming lesson.
They delivered the kits, communicated with the families, and were always available if I had a question or needed help. Jasmine Chu is the Arts Coordinator at Children’s Hospital. She is the one who said yes to my proposal about this exhibition back in June! She met with me multiple times at the gallery so that we could think about the space, sizes of artwork, etc. She has communicated with me regularly about the due dates for the text, photos of work, installation, etc. She created the banner and promotion, and she helped me problem solve some teaching/art lesson questions and concerns I had. She really has supported me throughout this project!
I also have to mention one family in particular. JonCarlo, Vinnie and Beverly came to almost every lesson, and they created ninety percent of the work in the family exhibition! Their creativity also served as inspiration for the integrated fabric and heart pieces. They were an absolute joy. I loved creating art with them…such a talented, creative, loving family!
One of the beautiful aspects of being a Sharon Prize winner is the opportunity to meet with a group of students to share your journey as an artist and vision for Messages of Hope to inspire them to embrace art in their lives. Tell us about your school experience.
I visited Whittier Elementary and Manual McAuliffe during the first week of January. Both schools partner with Redline Contemporary Art Center where young student artists are invited to be part of the Youth Art Mentoring Program. One day a week, throughout the school year, they meet after school and work one-on-one with an adult art mentor. The focus of this program “…encourages young artists in Denver schools to use art as their voice to speak about issues affecting their communities and their lives.”
I was an art mentor last year, so I was excited to be back and share the work I have been doing with the Sharon Prize Grant. I spoke to students about the grant, Brent’s Place, and the workshops, focusing upon the impact art has on community, much like the work they are doing through RedLine. We talked about the importance of allowing folks to share their stories, to take care of one another, and to enjoy one another.
Additionally, we discussed the importance of sharing creative art experiences together, which allows us space for healing and expression. I then guided them in an art lesson I had done with kids and families at Brent’s Place. It was wonderful sharing this experience with students and mentors!
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions in Colorado?
I will be part of a group exhibition, one of four female artists, at SeeSaw Gallery in Englewood. The exhibition, Chromatic Visions: Explorations in Contemporary Abstraction, will run from Thursday, February 8th — Sunday, April 21st. The opening reception is on February 8th, and there will be a closing reception on February 21st. I’m very honored to be a part of this show!
I will also be part of a group exhibition at the ArtBase in Basalt, Colorado near Aspen. This exhibition, Colorado Women Living Large: Six Female Abstract Expressionists, will be run from May 12th — June 21st. This will be my first time showing in the Roaring Fork Valley, so I’m very excited about it!
