Wendy Chase, Director of Clinical Education & Assistant Professor within the MS-SLP program showcasing the Grand Prize winner, Jaecie Hundley’s art work.
The Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) Center for Communication Disorders (CCD) recently hosted an art contest in partnership with Provo High School. The contest was held in RMUoHP’s Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program’s clinic for students and their families to view.
Dr. Wendy Chase, MA, CCC-SLP, Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor within the MS-SLP program was the inspiration behind the event. “For people with a communication disorder, art often serves as a means of expression they could not otherwise demonstrate,” said Chase. “Someone may be able to draw their ideas or understand someone’s meaning through a picture or object. A shared reaction to a piece of art may also be the connection between two people even if there are no words. The Center for Communication Disorders mission is to serve the community and provide high-quality clinical education for our Master’s degree students. What better way to have our clinic represent the community than to have the community’s artwork on display?”
Working along with James Rees, Provo High School’s Art Teacher and past art educator in undergraduate and graduate studies at Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and Westminster College, Chase lined up 25 original pieces of artwork done by Provo High school students for the display. The work was judged by RMUoHP students and faculty based upon the theme communication, accessibility of the message for clients, and technical merit. The following Provo High School Students received awards from RMUoHP:
- Honorable Mention ($25 Gift Card): Lindsay Gordon, Lillian Higginbotham, and Zoe B
- Director’s Choice ($25 Gift Card): Marlie Cowan
- Grand Prize ($100): Jaecie Hundley
Hundley and Cowan will have their work professionally hung in the CCD clinic to inspire and uplift clients.
We are tremendously grateful for the work of all the very talented students who submitted pieces as well as the participation and collaboration with Provo High School. Rees, Provo High School’s Art Teacher, stated, “Thanks again for pulling us into your wonderful project. It was a wonderful night and a great experience! I look forward to working with you in the future!” RMUoHP looks forward to hosting more events like this that bring the community together.
For more information about the Center for Communication Disorders, please visit http://rmuccd.org/.
