In 2022, Wonder Connection worked with 26 hospitalized kids and teens who interpreted a sculpture (Fallen Caryatid with Stone by A. Rodin) and created a floral arrangement inspired by their interpretation and feelings about the artwork.

Art in Bloom Q and A video with Katie

Katie Stoudemire, Wonder Connection Project Director, saids “I have loved every part of this process working with the patients!  The teen’s insights into the artwork and their ability to relate to the art have been thought-provoking, inspiring, and meaningful.  They had fun creating new floral designs based on their observations and I’ve loved having a chance to validate their thoughts and opinions by working with them to create a collaborative floral design for Art in Bloom. “

Along with a floral design, each display had an Artist Statement. The teens settled on this “Each of us has a burden we struggle to carry. We hold ourselves.  We try to find strength.”   

As Wonder Connection staff we know that the hospitalized teens participating all had different burdens that they mentioned might be weighing someone (or themselves down), some of which were figurative- like loneliness and sadness- and others that were physical- like radiating pain and a tumor growing on their back. We love that they found creative and inspiring ways to represent their interpretations with flowers. 

“We hope that this activity has helped the hospitalized teens we work with feel their own strength. And that the opportunity to create something beautiful has helped lighten the burden of their hospitalization.” -Katie Stoudemire, Wonder Connection Project Director 

Our mission is rooted in bringing joy to young people who are facing difficult health challenges as well as stress, anxiety, isolation, and boredom. Rather than focusing on a diagnosis or prognosis, our focus is on treating the youth we serve as the creative kids and teens that they are, and on learning about their diverse interests and abilities. This Art in Bloom project has highlighted their interests and insights as well as their amazing creativity.

Since 2006, Wonder Connection has been using natural science activities as tools to elicit positive emotions in hospitalized children and teens, to increase their science competence, and to build enthusiasm for science and nature. Wonder Connection is 100% funded through private grants and donations.

Here’s one example: