Borough of Rivers: The Bronx

Jennifer Maravillas, Artist

The Rosenthal Pediatric Infusion Suite at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore

Artist Statement

The Bronx is a place dense and teeming with life both human and wild. We see this vibrance below water in the two rivers that surround the borough; in the history and cultural institutions that represent the voices of Bronx residents; in the many contributions to the evolution of music, mathematics, medicine, art, conservation, biology, and community planning. This land we share holds inspiration and wonder within the stories of those that live upon. Bronx, Between Two Rivers depicts just a few of these special places and people.

Borough of Rivers is a commission for the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore’s new Pediatric Infusion Suite in The Bronx, NY, which treats patients suffering from cancer, sickle cell disease, and other related illnesses. The project spans one floor (sq. ft.: 7950) with artwork integrated into the elevator lobby, reception area, nurses’ stations, and infusion treatment rooms.  The media features digital files transferred to glass panels, vinyl and mosaics.  Artist Jennifer Maravillas, known for contemporary watercolor art and illustrations focusing on urban narratives, developed an engaging theme focused on The Bronx, featuring local landmarks - the NY Botanical Gardens, The Bronx Zoo - as well as subways and local wildlife, both on land and in the rivers.  Patients, ranging in age from 1-21 years, frequently visit the Suite up to five times/week.  To further advance the art experience for patients and others, the artist collaborated with a technology team to create a first-of-its-kind social virtual reality (VR) environment.   The artwork on the walls magically allows children to travel into a 3D world.   Now, patients receiving treatments are encouraged to play/dialog simultaneously with other patients/family members in the suite together inside the same VR experience. 

Reception Mural and Elevator Lobby

Jennifer Maravillas’ meticulous digital files allowed for a seamless transfer to multiple glass panels culminating in the feature 60’ x 8’ mural.  The artist also created imagery transferred to a 6 foot diameter artwork that welcomes children, family members, and staff when entering or exiting the space.

The primary goal was Patient Experience. The integration of artwork throughout the Pediatric Infusion Suite provides a backdrop that is welcoming, joyful and restorative.  Employing the theme of The Bronx community, Maravillas created an experience that extends past the viewer’s initial glance and continues throughout the patient visit.  The artist’s illustrations, colorful watercolors, and her dream-like interpretation of the borough provides patients with distractions and offers a moment of respite.  Visual celebrations of The Bronx, community landmarks, personalities and the urban vernacular are visible throughout the site.  An expansive mural measuring 60’ w sets the tone for overall experience. Six unique images have been reproduced in multiples and serve as the backdrop in Treatment Rooms.  Mosaics installed on the façades of the Nurses’ Stations are easily viewable from treatment rooms.  Utilizing innovative technologies that children are familiar with outside the walls of the hospital, social VR is enjoyed within the Infusion Suite to create a more immersive experience of the artwork. By redirecting patients’ fears, pain and loneliness, the art program provides an immersive experience that seeks to create a positive environment while accelerating the healing process. 

End Cap Reception Walls

On the left and right side of the reception mural and reception desk are two murals that greet patients before they enter the infusion treatment area and rooms.

Nurses Station Mosaics

Collaborating with mosaicist Stephen Miotto or Miotto Mosaics, these tactile works 4 @ (3-1/2” h x 20’ w) were integrated into the façades of two nurse’s stations and are viewable from the treatment rooms. 

Infusion Treatment Rooms

Six unique images have been reproduced in multiples and serve as the backdrop in Treatment Rooms. They were created on a vinyl material appropriate to the healthcare environment and embrace the variety of Bronx areas such as The Bronx Zoo, The New York Botanical Gardens, The Bronx River and more!