Wynwood artist paints Jackson mural to honor healthcare workers

When Wynwood Miami muralist Claudia La Bianca saw how the COVID-19 outbreak was affecting so many in Italy, her home country, she decided to gift healthcare workers with gratitude right here in Miami.

On May 1, La Bianca climbed onto a scaffold and began painting every day for eight to 10 hours to complete a huge art installation in time for International Nurses Day, May 12.

Her donation — two 104-foot high murals to Jackson Memorial Hospital, titled “Our Heroes” — pays tribute to those who are tirelessly helping us through the coronavirus pandemic.

“The hospital staff at Jackson expose themselves every day to this, and other infectious diseases,” La Bianca said. “They are truly the heroes who need to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

The gift celebrates International Nurses Day, and the birthday of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.

The murals show healthcare workers as superheroes, including nurses, security guards, environmental workers, and social workers. Some nurses in the installation also wear award pins to represent the DAISY Foundation, which recognizes nurses for their exemplary service and compassion.

“We are grateful for the tribute mural that Claudia La Bianca has done for our Jackson family,” Carlos A. Migoya, president and CEO of Jackson Health System, said.

“As our healthcare heroes continue to save lives every day, Claudia’s work will remain a powerful symbol of their daily sacrifices.”

The murals are located on the southeast wall of the parking garage located at 901 NW 17th St. on the Jackson Memorial Medical Center campus.

“I’m so honored to do this and that I was chosen to grace the walls of Jackson Memorial, the Wynwood Arts District’s local hospital,” La Bianca said.

“I hear the nurses from downstairs cheering and screaming, ‘Thank you, thank you,’ and I’m thinking why are you telling me, ‘Thank you?’

“ ‘Thank you!’ That’s been the biggest gratification,” she said.

Join in ‘60 Second Somethings for Seniors’

The community is invited to join Florida International University students, faculty, staff and alumni to share 60 seconds of their talents as a way of offering cultural care packages to those who spend their lives in a constant state of remote living.

“The program will continue long after COVID-19 has been vanquished,” said FIU Theatre Professor Phillip M. Church.

“When life returns to normal, many seniors will still be there in their rooms, in their wards. We are hoping members of the Miami-Dade community will discover the rewards of sharing their experience and talent with our seniors in nursing homes, assisted living and long-term care facilities and VA hospitals,” he said.

Trained or untrained, all forms of talent from juggling, singing, poetry, art, magic tricks, sports, drama, music, comedy, photography, dance, reading and writing are welcome.

“Your story as an architect, your experience as a security guard, as a bank teller or even as a provost or president will elevate this digitally diverse variety show,” Church said.

To submit a “60 second something,” together with a taped self-introduction about yourself, email Church at 60secondsomethings@gmail.com.

“You will receive a Google Drive link with a password with which to post your video and many thanks for being a part of an FIU constantly cares project!” he said.

Writers’ group hosts Zoom talk with Justin Koren

The South Florida Writers Association will Zoom its monthly meeting for members at 10:30 a.m., June 6. Scheduled to speak is Justin Koren who has served the Miami-Dade County Public School District for 15 years, as both a teacher and school administrator.

Koren, a graduate of the Miami-Dade County public school district, and a Miami Herald Silver Knight Award Winner, is “passionate about education and works tirelessly in support of children from all walks of life,” SFWA organizers said.

“We are excited for June’s virtual meeting, which will include our annual board of directors election,” said Beverly Melasi-Haag, SFWA president.

“Our attending membership will be able to vote electronically and then enjoy an address from our keynote speaker, Dr. Justin Koren, as he discusses his journey as a writer and educator, with a focus on the research aspect of writing.”

Koren has received accolades for his work as a director, playwright, community activist, teacher, and school administrator. He is assistant principal of Miami Killian Senior High School and is a candidate for the Miami-Dade County School Board, District 9.

He is also in the process of publishing a new book with the working title, “Residual Insanity.”

The link to Koren’s recorded session will be available within 48 hours after the meeting for the general community to view on the SFWA website at www.southfloridawriters.org.

If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.

This story was originally published May 29, 2020 at 6:00 AM.