As first responders continue to be on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Club members expressed their appreciation by creating thank you cards for health care workers at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Each greeting card was created by using printmaking technology, used by many art professionals today. The printmaking project was led virtually by Norton Museum of Art Instructor, Jill Lavetsky and in-person by Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Enhancement Instructor, LaShonda Prichard.

“Art is very important to the development of youth. The importance of artistic exploration has become especially evident in the pandemic,”  said Enhancement Instructor, LaShonda Prichard. “I have been able to witness children use art to cope and release the stress and fears we all are experiencing and give them an outlet to express themselves where they may not otherwise have the knowledge to do so. With programs like what’s offered at the Boys & Girls Clubs, youth have the opportunity to explore their talents and have fun all the same.”

 Club members had the opportunity to carve a design of their liking using art foam and cardboard, then layering each design with acrylic paint. The greeting cards included a message of hope and unique design to brighten the days of local frontline health care workers.

“We are honored to celebrate our courageous health care professionals, now and always,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County Cultural Arts Coordinator, Casandra Tanenbaum. “We are also deeply grateful to the Norton Museum of Art for this opportunity to brighten their lives with art.”