Foundation Academy students enjoy fruits of their labor

Foundation Academy art students are enjoying their moment in the limelight.

Ten students in the high school’s AP Art and Portfolios classes were invited to create works of art for the second-floor corridor of the new Orlando Health Horizon West ER & Medical Pavilion. A fruit theme is carried out in the gallery of 10 colorful and cheery acrylic paintings; this goes hand in hand with the hospital’s living well initiative.

Janelle Bell-Martin, the AP Art/Portfolio and digital design instructor, worked with the students to come up with the theme and create pieces that reflected the hospital’s mission for a healthy community.

Bell-Martin said the students were thrilled to see their art professionally displayed.

“It is such a great opportunity for them at this age,” she said. “Along with being a great opportunity, the students had a chance to work together and learn different techniques. They helped one another and were inspired by color, shape and lighting. “

The 10th through 12th graders all are members of the National Art Honor Society and have taken Advanced Art, Portfolio and AP Art classes.

Luanne Lumpkins, director of development and family enrichment at Foundation Academy, initiated the conversation with Orlando Health administrators about the possibility of a collaboration. She had worked with the hospital system at previous jobs and wanted to connect through the school, as well.

Lumpkins reached out to Orlando Health after it built its new emergency room and medical pavilion and was put in touch with community relations manager Dawn Willis. The two brainstormed ways to work together, and Willis visited the school for a tour and met with art teacher Bell-Martin.

“It’s important to us at Orlando Health that we are actively involved within the communities in which we serve,” Willis said. “We were searching for opportunities to support and partner with schools in the Horizon West area.”

The gallery provides a forum in which student artists from across West Orange County can showcase their talent. Foundation Academy is the first school, and students were invited to a reception recently at the medical pavilion. Orlando Health will rotate schools throughout the year, and each art teacher will select the theme of the art to be displayed.

The SoBo Art Gallery, in Winter Garden, has agreed to assist with the installation of signage and the professional displays.

Other schools interested in collaborating with the hospital on the project are Water Spring and Keene’s Crossing elementaries and Bridgewater Middle School. Some displays will be featured at the Orlando Health Medical Pavilion - Summerport.

“It provides us with another opportunity to reach out and connect with the people who work, live and learn in West Orange County,” Willis said. “We want everyone who walks through our doors to feel at home in our facilities. We are so very fortunate to have great schools in our area willing to share the immense talent of their students with us, and we are thrilled when we see how much the students love having an opportunity to showcase their artwork in a professional setting.”

While Foundation Academy receives no funding for the project, Lumpkins said the exposure of the students’ artwork is priceless.

“Our community has so many talented and budding artists, and it is wonderful to see their art on display and the pride they show in their art,” Lumpkins said. “Orlando Health is an amazing organization that really invests in our community.”