Last month, members of a local pediatric health system, students from a performing arts high school, and members of the city’s school board gathered to dedicate a vibrant mural. The artwork, adorning the side of a pediatric outpatient clinic in the Tower Grove neighborhood, faces Kingshighway Boulevard and the Central Visual & Performing Arts High School (CVPA).
A Message of Hope and Health
The mural, designed and painted by CVPA students Jovi Vaughn and Micajah Carr with art teacher Evan Wagman, symbolizes a commitment to the St. Louis community’s youth.
The mural, which reads “Our health is worth the effort,” was created following a school shooting. It aims to project a message of joy and hope. Key speakers at the dedication ceremony included Dr. Hossain Marandi, President of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital; Dr. Joshua Arthur, a pediatrician at the clinic; Dr. Millicent Borishade, Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools; Dr. Amy Phillips, CVPA Principal; and Mr. Evan Wagman, CVPA art teacher.
Each speaker emphasized the importance of the ongoing relationships between the health system and various community organizations.
Fostering Community Connections
“We chose to have this mural facing the classroom windows of Central Visual and Performing Arts High School so that each student who looks upon it is reminded of the joy it represents and our unwavering commitment to nurturing every child and family in our community,” explained Dr. Marandi. “We gather today to not only to honor the talent and strength of the students here with us today, but also to reaffirm our deepest commitment: to be present, to provide healing, and to offer hope—always.”
Dr. Arthur, a pediatrician at the Tower Grove clinic, highlighted the unique connection between CVPA and the clinic. “When I first saw this mural, it inspired me to reflect on the partnership between both CVPA and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Pediatrics, two entities which shape both the bodies and minds of the children and the community,” Dr. Arthur said. “Where CVPA serves our children through the pursuit of knowledge, so too does SSM Health Cardinal Glennon care for children through both mental and physical health care. Our collaboration is an embodiment of holistic care for the mind, the body, and the spirit.”
Art as a Source of Resilience
Mr. Wagman, the final speaker, shared his vision for the mural’s impact. “Originally envisioned as a visual commentary on the spirit of the community at Danis Pediatrics, this mural evolved into something even greater: a daily reminder that beauty can rise anywhere,” he stated. “That we are stronger together. That art has the power to connect, to uplift, and to heal. May this mural continue to inspire every passerby young or old to pause, to reflect, and to cherish each moment.”
