Local Artist Adds Color To Child Advocacy Center

November 6, 2007 Contributor

Submitted Article

FULTON, NY – Children visiting the new medical examination room at the Child Advocacy Center in Fulton will be able to enjoy the vibrant and colorful surroundings of the room thanks to the efforts of artist Carrie O’Brien.

Local Artist Adds Color To Child Advocacy CenterO’Brien, who graduated in May from SUNY Oswego with a degree in fine arts, volunteered her time and talents to paint a colorful under water mural in the new medical examination room at the CAC.

The room will be used to administer medical exams to children who have active cases with Child Protective Services or who have been referred to the CAC by a police agency in Oswego County.

“We are thrilled with the mural that Carrie painted for us,” said Director of the CAC, Olivia VanSanford. “We wanted to make the room as comfortable and appealing to children as possible so that they could feel at ease while they are here. I contacted the Art Department at SUNY Oswego requesting an intern for this project and they immediately put me in touch with Carrie.”

For O’Brien, who will be pursuing her Masters Degree in Art Therapy, the opportunity to paint a mural for the CAC was a perfect match.

“I wanted to create a soothing atmosphere for the children,” said O’Brien. “As a child it was always a dream of mine to find sunken treasure. I thought it would be nice for the children to enter the room and find a glowing treasure chest in front of them. Hopefully it may remind them of their dreams.”

“Carrie did a great job on this,” added VanSanford. “The children enjoy it and it adds an abundance of color to the room. It is the perfect finishing touch to our new examination room.”

Funding for the examination room was provided through the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

“We are very thankful for the funding we have received and the wonderful job that our contractors, Leotta & Forbes of Fulton did in the design and building of our exam room. It is an addition to our services that will be greatly appreciated by both the children and their families,” added VanSanford.

Established in 2001, the CAC is a safe, child-friendly site for the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse.

For more information on the CAC you may contact them at 592-4453. missing or outdated ad config

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