HOULTON, Maine — When employees at the Gardiner Health Care Facility in Houlton go to work, they are now greeted with a painting that shows their work is being valued.
Thirise Rollins, who lives next to the facility, did the painting in hopes to support the workers at the facility and show people the bravery of the work they do during the time of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across the country.
“I hope people are viewing health care workers as selfless courageous heroes,” Rollins said.
She was inspired by an art mural that appeared in the city of Denver that she had seen online. The mural, by Colorado artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler, depicts a health care worker with boxing gloves and wings and has been shared widely on social media.
“I thought what a great idea to say thank you to health care workers, essential employees and really everybody that’s doing their part and making sacrifices during this difficult time,” Rollins said.
To create the painting, Rollins used 2x4s, plywood and acrylic paints. The image bears a resemblance to Zucchini-Fowler’s mural, but has a unique message on it:
“Thank you frontline healthcare workers,” it reads. “Thank you to ALL essential employees.”
