Installations & Public Art

East Tennessee Children's Hospital (ETCH) in Knoxville, TN developed an amazing art program for children who stay in or visit the hospital. The original art lifts the spirits of the children, parents and staff who are there every day. I am blessed to say that I got to be one of those artists who help ease the worry and pain of those who pass through. 

It began by answering a RFQ (Request For Qualifications) and applying with ETCH. I came up with about 3 ideas for them and they chose "Bunny World." This idea inspired me because it tells a story. My concept is that I paint a "window" on the wall where the viewer looks out to the fields, that are clearly Knoxville (you can see the Sunsphere and the skyline), and watch the bunnies running about or resting.  Some of them notice the bunny shaped cloud above which also reflects in the water below. Inside the hospital are 3-D bunnies who climb up stairs to view bunny world for themselves. Bunny painters are busy painting the wall next to them and one little girl bunny is hiding below it all reading a book called, "Bunny World."

The layers of this installation are meant to give the children and parents something to discover and think about. Since I installed this in August of 2017, I have received lovely letters from people who have said they get so much from this piece each time they visit. That means the world to me!  

I wrote about the process of creating this installation in Nashville Arts Magazine. Please check it out. This article with more photos is also on this site under "Published Writing." 

I am busy working on an outdoor piece for the same hospital. This will be a 3-D sculpture cast in bronze. Thank you again ETCH for giving me this opportunity to make a difference with my art. 

Rachael McCampbell

All images and concepts are copyrighted © 2017