Across Seattle, every brushstroke tells a child’s story of healing
Created in partnership with SeattleFWC26, the Unity Loop mural and Monorail column wrap celebrate the comfort objects that help Seattle Children’s patients feel brave during treatment. Through art therapy, patients turned their experiences into artwork that now welcomes Seattle and visitors from around the world.
The Monorail Column: A Voice of Resistance
The Gallery of Resilience
The Unity Loop Monorail Column is a collaborative tapestry of healing and honest expression. Guided by Seattle Children’s art therapists, patients from our oncology and rehabilitation units used these sessions to process their medical journeys through color and form.
With the generous permission of our families, we are honored to showcase the original artwork that was adapted into the final Monorail Column — moving their stories from the bedside to the global stage.
Jaxon’s Legacy: The Line Between Then and Now
Artist: Jaxon, age 13 at time of drawing
Media: Colored pencils
Art Therapist: Mike Cardenas Willen, ATR, LMHC
Jaxon was an inspiring force who used art to navigate a brave four-year journey with childhood cancer. This piece reflects how diagnosis changed his perspective on life — the "before and after."
In Jaxon’s Words: "Art has always been a fun way for me to express my creativity. After I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, art became a form of therapy. It helps me share how I am feeling and is always a great distraction during times of stress."
A Statement from Jaxon’s Parents: "Jaxon’s spirit remains woven into every line and color of this work. This piece stands as a testament to a life lived with unwavering faith, hope and fortitude. We honor Jaxon’s story to shine a light on the reality of childhood cancer and inspire hope for children still fighting their own battles."
The Mural: A Sanctuary of Attachment
Inspired by the original sketches of stuffies created by patients at Seattle Children’s, artist Stevie Shao has reimagined these cherished attachment objects into a larger-than-life world of Pacific Northwest Flora and Fauna. By weaving the children’s imaginative seeds into a public work, this mural honors the universal need for a safe harbor during the journey of healing.
The Science of Healing: Why Art and Stuffies Matter
Formally known as a “transitional object,” these items, like a stuffed animal or doll, are rooted in attachment theory. They provide psychological comfort during challenging situations or times of separation.
When a child holds their stuffy close, they are holding the comforting love of their caregivers in a tangible way. These soft objects help children build independence and internalize a feeling of safety, reducing anxiety when parents cannot be present.
Collaboration Spotlight: Stevie Shao x Seattle Children's
Seattle-born illustrator Stevie Shao, known for her vibrant Northwest-inspired symbolism, drew inspiration from these children’s drawings. She translated their internal resilience into a large-scale public mural, creating a visual legacy for the city of Seattle.
- Mural Location: 3rd and Stewart, Downtown Seattle.
- Interactive Experience: Look for the SEA&WIN mobile app for Seattle’s FIFA World Cup Experience to engage with the Loop.
Therapeutic Art Program
Art therapy is a form of expressive therapy that uses creative activities to support physical, mental and emotional well-being. The art piece depicts the awareness pediatric patients have of compassionate care, the passage of time, their own vulnerability and the impact illness has on their lives.
Through art-making, children experience:
- Empowerment: Gaining a sense of control over their hospital environment and boosting self-esteem.
- Catharsis: Translating internal thoughts, trauma, and vulnerability into a visual language.
- Connection: Creating a bridge between the clinical experience and the child's perspective.
- Symptom Management: Promoting hopefulness and supporting improved pain management.
Learn more about Seattle Children's Therapeutic Art Program.