CHILDREN at Dorset County Hospital are enjoying a colourful welcome thanks to the work of a renowned artist.

Marina Renee-Cemmick, who grew up in the county, has created a vibrant new mural on the Kingfisher Children’s Ward at the Dorchester hospital.

After studying in Marshwood and then Hardye’s School in Dorchester, Marina moved to Glasgow to study Painting at Glasgow School of Art (2018), and has since exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Working with staff and children at Kingfisher ward, the mural, with images of tigers, rainforest frogs, fish, octopi, penguins and of course a kingfisher, was completed over the course of a week this summer.

“It was really a pleasure to do and a joy having everyone involved,” Marina said. “I would not have managed to do a 50ft wall in four-and-a-half days without them.

“It was wonderful to see how much it means to everyone, and how engaged the children and staff were.”

Staff working on the new mural on Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital

Sarah Woodward, matron of Kingfisher, said: “Everybody (on the ward) got involved and had a go, we felt a real part of the project. We have a consultant who loves penguins, so Marina added a penguin in for us.

“It’s lovely to see young people coming through the corridors pointing at all the different animals and counting them. It creates a really positive feel for everybody on the ward.”

The artwork was made possible with the generous support of The Arts Society, Dorset County.

An Arts Society spokesperson said: “The charitable aim of the Arts Society is to support the arts and we in the Dorset County branch are delighted to fund the new mural in the Children’s Kingfisher Ward.

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“We knew from the outset that Marina Renee-Cemmick’s creativity would not disappoint, as we have supported her studies and amazing talent in the past.

“We could not be more pleased to see this mural come to fruition, and to know that it will give pleasure for ongoing years to the many young patients who will visit Kingfisher Ward.

“It gives us particular pleasure too that the ward staff have been so invested in this project.”

Anyone interested in supporting further arts projects should contact artsinhospital@dchft.nhs.uk.