Calling all artists — this local hospital wants your ideas for murals

PARAMUS — Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is asking artists to submit designs for murals for its group therapy rooms and staff lounge in the newly renovated Behavioral Health areas.

The hospital wants to make the spaces more personal and warmer for patients and to brighten the lounge area for staff, said Darian Eletto, chief clinical officer of behavioral health at Bergen New Bridge.

“This is something so meaningful and therapeutic for all those we serve who are facing mental health challenges,” she said.

How to submit a design

Artists must be at least 16 years old and should submit their mural designs by Sept. 30 to graphics@newbridgehealth.org .

If artists want to collaborate on a design, they are welcome to submit as a joint project. The behavioral health administration will select the winning murals for the six areas at the medical center.

If artists under 18 years old are selected to create a mural, they will need a parent or guardian to sign off on their participation. All artists selected must also sign a photo release form, because their completed art will be showcased at a ribbon-cutting and shared on social media. Artists will be encouraged to work on their murals Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 5 p.m., but other times can be arranged.

“We welcome opportunities for the community to come into the medical center and share their exceptional talents with our patients and residents,” said Deborah Visconi, president and CEO. “My leadership team and I are thrilled with the recent facility improvements that have been made in our behavioral health spaces, and these murals will take these areas to the next level for years to come.”

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, a clinical affiliate of Rutgers, is a 1,070-bed hospital at 230 E. Ridgewood Ave. in Paramus. It is the largest hospital and licensed nursing home in New Jersey and the fourth -argest publicly owned hospital in the nation.

What are the guidelines?

The behavioral health team has created guidelines for those interested in submitting a mural design.

• Preferred colors: calming shades (avoid beige).
• Things to avoid: religion, politics, word/text.
• Preferred design elements: landscapes, abstracts or positive imagery.
• Size: Accent wall in a group therapy room/staff lounge; size varies.
• Number needed: six, including the staff lounge.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Calling all artists — this local hospital wants your ideas for murals