A DIABETES centre at a local hospital has unveiled its new eye-catching mural in a bid to brighten up its waiting area.

Staff at Dorset County Hospital’s Diabetes Centre requested a new mural for its waiting area and DCH Arts in Hospital managed to work with Weymouth College to find a Fine Art degree student, Fronde Crennell, who was able to fulfil the brief.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Fronde Crennell’s new mural in the DCH Diabetes Centre. Picture: DCH CharityFronde Crennell’s new mural in the DCH Diabetes Centre. Picture: DCH Charity

Suzy Rushbrook, DCH Arts in Hospital Manager said: “The brief was to create a large-scale painting at DCH's Diabetes Centre with a positive feel, encouraging activity and heathy living. We were lucky enough to find Fronde Crennell, a mature student who has completely immersed herself in Arts in Hospital activity over the past few months, volunteering with exhibition changeovers and generally seeing how and why we work.

“It’s been important to us to work within the local community and make connections with local centres for education such as Weymouth College.”

Ms Crennell said: “After many years of working in care, in various capacities, I have had the opportunity to go back into education to pick up as a mature student where I left off in my youth.

“I am currently studying for my Contemporary Fine Art Degree at Weymouth College and hope to work within Public and Community Arts once qualified. My aim is to bring art out of the gallery and into the world!

“This was an opportunity to create a painting which told a story and reflected the local landscape, that maybe you could pass the time in the waiting room thinking what happens next?

“Using paints mostly donated, household paints and acrylics on a whitewashed wall, the colours I had to work with were interesting as well as very contrasting! So I felt a representation of all seasons was the best approach in light of this - and of course, the sun doesn’t always shine, but we know it will return!

“This piece of work is very far removed from my usual style and was an interesting exercise in balancing my personal style with a brief. I chose a narrative style, bold and illustrative including local landmarks. For my first painting on this scale (5 metres by 2 metres) I feel this was mostly successful in achieving the brief’s objectives.

“It was a privilege to paint my first mural for Dorset County Hospital's Diabetes Centre.”

Simon Pearson, DCH Head of Charity and Social Value, said: “DCH’s Arts in Hospital programme contributes to our hospital’s commitment to deliver social value working with our community. We know the arts have a positive impact on well-being and Fronde’s mural represents the benefit art has in enhancing the care environment for our patients and staff.”

To find out more about Arts in Hospital go to www.dchartsinhospital.org.uk or follow on Instagram and Twitter @artsinhospital