Patients in the Children’s Hospital often spend time in the Atrium coloring. During the next year those patients will have a special treat—the chance to “color” the work of a famous local artist. Martha-Elizabeth Ferguson, with the help of BB&T, Children’s Advil and Gamble Givens & Moody P.A., is donating a year’s supply of coloring sheets she created along with pens, pencils and crayons to the Children’s Hospital.

Ferguson’s coloring sheets are elaborate works of fun and fantasy that can provide hours of escape and entertainment. “I hope these coloring sheets will provide an outlet for creative energy and transport these children from their hospital beds into a world of colorful adventure,” Ferguson said. Ferguson has also donated the original artwork that the coloring sheets are based on to the Children’s Hospital Fund.

MUSC will present a solo exhibit of Ferguson’s mixed media drawings at the Institute of Psychiatry (IOP) from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. A reception to commemorate the opening of the exhibit will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the IOP lobby. The public is invited. Part of the proceeds from the sale of Ferguson’s work during this exhibit will benefit the Children’s Hospital Fund.

Ferguson’s commissioned originals are in many private, corporate and museum collections throughout the nation, and she has won numerous awards for her illustration and design. Through the years, Ferguson has perfected her imaginative and, at times, whimsical techniques, to suit many published forms including cards, posters, wrapping paper and even textiles.

Celebration kick-off

At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Children’s Hospital 10th birthday celebration begins with a party in the Atrium. Join members of the College of Charleston Gospel Choir and Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley as he proclaims Oct. 12 -18 MUSC Children’s Hospital Week.