Local artist uses her work to support hospitalized children

Barbara Ernst Prey is hoping to paint a bright future for Project Sunshine patients this holiday season. The internationally recognized artist and Oyster Bay resident of 24 years has produced a new series of prints featuring some of her best-known  work to be sold in support of hospitalized children.

“I feel that I’m blessed with my work, and I always try and support organizations throughout the year,” Prey said. “[Project Sunshine is] a perfect organization doing work right now with Covid when children are so isolated.”

Founded roughly 20 years ago, Project Sunshine provides volunteer-led, age-appropriate opportunities of play and human connection to pediatric patients, from infants to 18-year-olds, and their families. Based in New York, the international non-profit partners with over 400 hospitals and medical centers across the United States and around the world, including Long Island Jewish – North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, and Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola.

“We really couldn’t do it without our support network  . . . people like Barbara,” said Toni Millar, Project Sunshine’s director of program innovation.

Prey’s work is featured in some of the world’s most famous art collections, from the National Gallery of Art and the Brooklyn Museum to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, among other renowned institutions. Her art is also showcased in the White House’s permanent collection — she is one of only two living female artists represented there —and is owned by celebrities including Tom Hanks and Orlando Bloom. In addition, she serves on the National Council of the Arts.

“The prints are a really great opportunity to support a wonderful organization and also collect my work,” Prey said. “There’s some really wonderful, iconic images of some of my paintings that are available. There’s also some wonderful paintings of Oyster Bay, of local scenes.” She lists her piece “Twilight” as one such example.

Just as the world adapted to Covid-19, so has Prey. Over the last few months, she has stayed home to paint and been inspired by her time in quarantine, producing paintings entitled “Social Distancing” and “Early Light,” among others

“I did a lot of paintings [locally],” she said. “As a painter, I’m used to working in isolation. It’s actually been a productive time for me.”

For Project Sunshine, the transition to working remotely hasn’t been as easy. Millar said that moving usually in-person events online has been challenging, but overall very successful.

Launching the project’s virtual program entitled Teleplay, isolated patients can participate in online programming and connect with others, whether it be in their hospital building, or now, across the country.

“[Teleplay has] been building some new communities,” Millar said. “The kids have the chance to socialize with people in different parts of the country, and it’s just been wonderful.”

“We’ve really been very innovative in how we can deal with the current situation,” added Tim Lemberger, Project Sunshine’s director of marketing and communications, “and still support pediatric patients.”

While facing a medical challenge is stressful at any time, the holidays are an especially challenging time, Millar said.

“This is an incredibly difficult time of year for a lot of people,” she said. “Donations that come in [during the holidays] just have that extra-special feeling in everyone’s heart. We really appreciate it.”

However, this year is especially challenging amid the Covid-19 pandemic, because everyone, especially children in hospitals, is more isolated.

“It is critical now more than ever for us all to remember how fortunate we are,” said Quemuel Arroyo, a Project Sunshine patient turned volunteer, “and how there are so many people out there that have it a lot worse than we do.” The organization supported Arroyo through a spinal injury that left him in Rusk Rehabilitation at NYU Langone Health for 10 months at age 18.

Now 31, Arroyo continues to advocate for Project Sunshine. He said that in his time of need, the organization lent both a hand and an ear, allowing him to simply be a normal kid and not just a patient.

As a student at New York University, Arroyo paid it forward, returning to the hospital where he recuperated with groups of friends, where they volunteered to bring a smile to the children in the playroom.

“The biggest joy in my 31 years has always been the memory of the kids laughing in the playroom,” Arroyo said. “I know what it feels like to be alone in that very sterile environment, feeling like you’re just another patient.

“What you’re missing, what you long for, is real life interaction and connections,” he added. “That’s what Project Sunshine delivered [to me], and that’s what we delivered to those kids: a chance for them to forget that they’re a patient and for them to just be people.”

Arroyo emphasized that the organization serves not only young children, but also teenagers, like him, and their families as well.

“Everybody benefits from what Project Sunshine delivers,” he said.   

To many, the magic of the organization comes from its support network: the leadership included but especially the volunteers and donors.

“That community that surrounds Project Sunshine is all part of the machine that makes that magic come to life, that really delivers those smiles to those kids,” Arroyo said. “They’re all essential, critical pillars to the organization.”

Half of all the proceeds Prey earns from the new collection of prints will go to Project Sunshine. To view her work and purchase prints, go to barbaraprey.com/new-digital-prints/.

More information on volunteer opportunities, making a donation and the organization itself can be found at projectsunshine.org.

“I know it must be really hard for children in isolation in hospitals,” Prey said, “so I’m excited to be able to partner with them this holiday season and hopefully make a difference.”