Local Realtor donates art to Monument Health Spearfish Hospital

PHOTO LINK: Standing with the “Rosie the Mask Maker” painting are, from left, Spencer Rossi, Blanche Guernsey, Doris Beck and Misty Maynard.

SPEARFISH, S.D. (July 10, 2020) – Local Realtor Spencer Rossi, donated a collaborative art piece of a sewing machine to Monument Health Spearfish Hospital. Rossi won the piece during a fundraising raffle sponsored by Local Color.

Local Color, a group of artists in Gillette, Wyo., usually have a pop-up show in a house that is for sale, featuring artwork from local and regional artists each year. However, this year’s event could not be held in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, a raffle was still held benefiting the Edible Prairie Project.

Rossi, a long time Spearfish Realtor, community member and supporter of local art noted, “This piece and these times often remind me of my grandmother and the ‘Rosie Riveters’ of World War II, a symbol of communities coming together for a cause. It seemed appropriate to donate it to the hospital.”

In fact, she named the painting “Rosie the Mask Maker.” The mixed media piece completed by five artists on canvas includes oil paint, acrylic paint, watercolor pencil, pastel, glass, paper, buttons, beads, resin, bottle caps, and sparkle fabric.

It is ironic that the artists took on the vintage sewing machine as their collaboration piece this year. Little did they know when they started what kind of meaning it would hold in today’s context as communities sew masks, and shelter in their homes.

Thomas Worsley, President of Spearfish Hospital and Hills Markets, accepted the donation stating, “This piece will help commemorate this period of time in our history when communities came together for the greater good and will stand as reminder for generations to come of what collaboration and caring looks like. We are very proud to hang it in the hallway of our hospital.”

Individuals and organizations across the Black Hills have been donating countless supplies, talents and hours to sewing masks for patients and health care workers at Monument Health. To learn how you can contribute, visit monument.health/coviddonations

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephany Chalberg
Public Relations Manager
Strategic Marketing and Communications
Monument Health
605-755-9086
schalberg@monument.health