A lasting tribute to the hard work and dedication of Continued Care staff throughout the Covid-19 pandemic has been created by renowned Harrogate artist Anita Bowerman.
The picture, entitled The Rainbow of Hope, features the names of more than 135 of our carers and office
staff, set within the colours of a rainbow that arches over the Yorkshire countryside.
The painting was the idea of our director Samantha Harrison, who wanted to honour the contribution of the whole home care team during such a difficult and worrying time.
Samantha said: “Every single person in our team has worked tirelessly to look after and protect some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They have stood united and made an amazing contribution to help Continued Care navigate our way through the pandemic and protect our clients and colleagues.”
Anita, who creates paintings, paper cuts and stainless steel artworks, is a friend of Samantha from their school days, and was delighted to help pay a lasting tribute to our Continued Care staff. She came up with the idea of putting all their names in a rainbow.
Rainbows have always symbolised hope and light, and during the first lockdown became a really special symbol of unity and appreciation of our frontline workers.
The painting shows a rainbow shining brightly over Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon, Boroughbridge, Thirsk and Settle, the areas covered by Continued Care’s services. Key landmarks are visible such as the Kilburn White Horse near Thirsk, the cherry blossom on Harrogate’s Stray and Ripon Cathedral.
Within the rainbow are the names of all our 135 carers, added in gouache by Anita with a tiny paintbrush. Around it are doves, angels and stars.
The painting will take pride of place in the family-run company’s head office in Harrogate, and cards have been made of the picture to hand out to all staff.
Anita has previously been the official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire and an artist in residence at RHS Harlow Carr Gardens in Harrogate. She recently created an art installation consisting of 191 stainless-steel boots on a tree at Castle Howard for Yorkshire Cancer Research.
She said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to create this piece of artwork for Samantha and her incredible team at Continued Care who cared for so many Yorkshire people during the pandemic.”
Anita Bowerman is based at The Dove Tree Art Gallery and Studio in central Harrogate
www.anitabowerman.co.uk
