MARCH 2020 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 29
SPLASHES OF HOPE
PAINTING A BETTER PICTURE
Splashes of Hope volunteers paint a
mural.
STRENGTH, STABILITY & SERVICE
SINCE 1859
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PRESS BUSINESS
BY ROB PELAEZ
Splashes of Hope incorporates visual
art into the lives of people nationwide
suff ering from disease and illness.
The Huntington-based nonprofi t was
established in 1996 as a way to comfort
patients during their treatment,
healing, and recovery by providing a
soothing and uplift ing visual focus.
Custom artwork is designed by various
volunteer artists, and each piece showcases
a personal touch.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of a company
that brings so much palpable joy
into people’s lives when they need it the
most,” says Splash Ambassador Marsha
Honovich. “I will always be grateful for
the experiences I’ve had and will continue
to have working here.”
The work that the organization does
has spread to more than 40 states across
America. More recently, hospitals in
France, Italy, and Ukraine have headlined
Splashes of Hope’s international
presence.
“Most everyone knows someone else
that is in need of a spiritual uplift ing,”
Honovich says. “The work we do is able
to provide that for them.”
Paintings are done with plenty of
thought and preparation behind them.
Aft er a hospital reaches out expressing
the desire for a mural to be commissioned,
the fi rst step is the site visit.
Professional artists visit the site to measure
and assess the designated areas to
be “splashed,” determining if painting
can be done on removable panels or if
the space itself can be painted on.
Discussions between the artists and
medical professionals involve the determination
of the appropriate theme,
color schemes, and tailored elements
to coincide with the clients’ therapeutic
distractions.
A cost-estimate proposal is the next step
before painting begins. The proposal
is generated by the Splashes of Hope
offi ce and submitted for approval to the
painting facility. This outlines all the
information collected during the site
visit, as well as costs for the painting.
Once the facility has the necessary
amount of funds in place, a deposit is
required to begin the creative aspect.
If a project does not have the correct
amount of funds, the offi ce will work
with the facility to seek a possible sponsor
for the project.
From there, the artists will commence
painting the mural, applying many
layers of protection to the surface. Once
it is completed, the mural is on display,
providing an appeasing and stimulating
visual piece of work.
“Our volunteer artists are extremely
dedicated and do an impeccable job,"
Honovich says. “Not many organizations
can accomplish what ours does. It’s not a
competition, but more of a testament to
how dedicated these employees are, and
how much we wish to brighten someone
else’s world.”
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