November 1, 2007, Flagstaff, AZ-

Breathtaking, History Making Mural Adorns North Country HealthCare

As you walk into North Country HealthCare’s new facility on Fourth Street, your eyes immediately settle on a breathtaking mural that wraps around the stairway.  It is the product of a collaboration between two of Arizona’s preeminent artists, Shonto Begay and Bahe Whitethorne.  Down the hall in the Women and Children’s wing is a popular new mural by Randall Wilson.

North Country will be unveiling these art treasures at an event that will be open to the entire community at the Fourth street location on Friday, December 7, at 11 am.  The artists will be on hand to talk about their collaboration and tell the story of the murals. 

North Country’s President and CEO, Ann Roggenbuck, said, “We are honored that Shonto Begay and Bahe Whitethorne were willing to donate a work of public art to our new building.  It will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.  The unveiling on December 7th will give us a chance to hear about the mural from the artists’ point of view so we can preserve their stories for posterity.”

Bahe Whitethorne said he offered to do the mural two years ago when plans for the facility were just taking shape.  “I wanted to instill a sense of healing in the mural and represent the diversity of Flagstaff.”

Shonto Begay said he has enjoyed working on the mural.  “People would stop on the stairway, ask questions, and share their enthusiasm.  It has been a very positive experience for me”

The mural shows people from diverse cultures joined together in dance.  Nature, spirituality, and healing are represented as well as much more.  Rick Swanson, North Country’s Development Director said, “I have heard some of the story and I guarantee the event will make the work of art much richer for anyone who gets a chance to attend.”

The renowned artists Shonto Begay and Bahe Whitethorne have displayed their work throughout the world, but this is the first project they have worked on together.  Both artists have roots in northern Arizona and they share a passion about instilling a sense of creativity in their community.  Several young artists they have mentored were involved in the art project at North Country: Cy Wagoner, Avery Chee, and Jake Fragua.

North Country HealthCare is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare to people whether they can afford to pay or not.  North Country moved out of an old roller skating rink into its new state-of-the-art facility on October 22.  Located at 2920 North Fourth Street, the clinic provides medical and dental care, an on-site pharmacy, and several programs such as family centered prenatal care, pediatrics, diabetes self-management, and behavioral health.  North Country is also the home of important community health programs such as the Well Woman Healthcheck Program, the Health Start Program, NACASA (Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault), and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.