Artist Hannah Wilken, 9, admires others' submissions

If you have reason to visit the Providence Holy Cross Health Center in Valencia anytime soon, you're going to catch an interesting sight inside the center's main lobby.

You're going to see 16 pieces of very special art, created by very special people for a very special cause.

The art pieces represent the best of a wealth of pieces created by nearly 150 children from Santa Clarita's Sulpher Springs School District as part of the newly-formed Art of Healing program.

The premise behind the program is as simple as it is inspired. Enhance the talents of aspiring young artists here in town while at the same time provide a healing environment for patients at Providence Holy Cross.

"I was looking at all these bare walls and I said, 'We could use some art,'" recalls program innovator Jeri Seratti-Goldman. "I thought of those cancer patients sitting for hours receiving chemo and realized this would be an incredible project to take on."

And so Seratti-Goldman, who owns the Santa Clarita-based radio station KHTS AM-1220, began putting the components together.

On one side, of course, there is the health center. On the other side are the children of the Sulpher Springs School District.

But there are others.

Mercedes Benz of Valencia and KHTS sponsor the program, and SCV Arts ups the ante by offering a one-year scholarship to the student who paints the winning piece.

SV artists benefit by having a place to display their work, and the patients at Providence Holy Cross get to look at something other than a bare wall.

"The art creates a welcome DISTRACTION and provides a source of COMFORT for the chemotherapy patients who spend time at Providence Holy Cross."

The program also stems from the belief in the therapeutic properties of art. The pieces are beautiful to look at, to be sure. But these are no mere wall hangings.

They are meant to decorate, yes. But they are also intended to create a warm environment. They are there to create a welcome distraction and provide a source of comfort for the chemotherapy patients who spend time at Providence Holy Cross.

And from the artists' perspective, the program presents a great opportunity to make a positive impact in the community.

"There are so many talented local artists in our valley, and many are thrilled with the opportunity to display their works at Providence Holy Cross," said SCV Arts founder and co-owner Gloria Locke. "People will be blown away when they see the work our talented artists are producing. We intend to rotate the art on a quarterly basis so a diverse representation can be displayed."

The current crop of pieces arrived at Providence in November. The next group is expected to grace the center's walls in March.

And it won't just be Sulpher Springs students participating.

The plan, according to program coordinators, is to involve students from the Newhall and Saugus School districts as well.

As for how the art will be judged, a selected committee reviews all pieces submitted and picks its favorite.

For the inaugural unveiling, the winner was 8-year-old Hanna Yoo, who donated a piece she titled "Rainbow World."

"This will be an on-going event," Seratti-Goldman said. "It will give our kids a chance to display their talents and hopefully put a smile on the face of those receiving treatment at Providence Holy Cross."

Submissions to the program are always welcome. If you know a young artist who may be interested in participating, you can download a submission form by visiting the center's website at www.providence.org/art.

You can also contact Tiffany De Vall of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center at 818-898-4577.

Better yet, why not stop by and have a look at some of the art for yourself?

It's there to be seen and enjoyed. It's there to inspire and comfort.

It's there for the community.