"Project
9865" is named after its street address on Olympic Blvd. in Beverly
Hills. This abandoned oil rig which is taller than the Statue of Liberty
now sports a new 15,000 square-foot mural of flowers depicting the four
seasons. A
Tower of Hope
Challenge: to turn a 16-story eyesore into a thing of beauty by painting
the exterior with giant flowers. But instead of hiring an artist with
Picasso's talent for the job, use 3,000 children confined to hospitals
due to life-threatening diseases. Now THAT'S a challenge! But this very
project has been carried out by a remarkable group calling itself "Portraits
of Hope," which is a creative-therapy program run by local artist
Ed Massey and his brother, Bernie.
The
children who created this magnificent landmark did so while battling
serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, burn trauma, spinal
injuries and HIV. Such children suffer not only pain, but also isolation
and fear. Painting the tower's new exterior—which was brought to
them panel by panel—was a joyous and therapeutic outlet. Each child
was helped by family members or volunteers. "We took the playground
to kids who can't go to the playground," says Susan Nassberg, a full-time
Project 9865 volunteer. "Wherever there was a child battling a disease
who wanted to get involved, we were there," she says, even if that meant
taking a panel to the smallest town with just one patient.
It
was important that all children be part of the fun, regardless of their
disabilities. Even those children who were unable to use their hands
participated by using specially designed "shoe paintbrushes" (made available
through a donation from Nike). These kids painted by "shoedancing" color
onto the flowery stencils.
Painting
and installing the new panels took over 3 years to complete. The finished
art may not match the talents of Picasso, but Project 9865 carries a
message beyond artistic value. It shows what vision and the true spirit
of caring can create: smiles on the faces of heroic children.
The
children who created this magnificent landmark did so while battling
serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, burn trauma, spinal
injuries and HIV. Such children suffer not only pain, but also isolation
and fear. Painting the tower's new exterior—which was brought to
them panel by panel—was a joyous and therapeutic outlet. Each child
was helped by family members or volunteers. "We took the playground
to kids who can't go to the playground," says Susan Nassberg, a full-time
Project 9865 volunteer. "Wherever there was a child battling a disease
who wanted to get involved, we were there," she says, even if that meant
taking a panel to the smallest town with just one patient.
It
was important that all children be part of the fun, regardless of their
disabilities. Even those children who were unable to use their hands
participated by using specially designed "shoe paintbrushes" (made available
through a donation from Nike). These kids painted by "shoedancing" color
onto the flowery stencils. 
Painting
and installing the new panels took over 3 years to complete. The finished
art may not match the talents of Picasso, but Project 9865 carries a
message beyond artistic value. It shows what vision and the true spirit
of caring can create: smiles on the faces of heroic children.