100-Foot Courtyard Mural Showcases Shepherd’s Mission

Peter Ferrari remembers when the impact of his mural really sank in. 

He’d been painting it on a concrete wall at Shepherd Center for weeks, and one day, a change in his routine gave him a new perspective. 

“One day towards the end, they were doing some construction, and I had to park in a different parking deck,” he says. “Coming in the gate and seeing it all in front of you — the whole thing at once — it really sunk in, the impact it was going to have on this space.” 

After months of planning and a blustery installation, the mural is complete, bringing The Home Depot Foundation Courtyard to life. It measures 15 feet tall and 109 feet wide, featuring the Shepherd family, former Shepherd Center patients, a facility dog, and other imagery from the hospital. With its vibrant pinks, oranges, and teals, it gives the courtyard an uplifting atmosphere and will have a lasting impact on patients and visitors. 

‘Fine-tuning every detail’ 

Cara Roxland, the Shepherd Center Foundation’s engagement manager, remembers early preparations for the hospital’s expansion. Floor plans and accessibility features in the Arthur M. Blank Family Residences and the Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation (MCAR) were designed with an emphasis on the details. She knew the art on display needed to be equally intentional. 

“I remember thinking, ‘We’re making this incredible investment in these two new buildings, fine-tuning every detail. We need to make the buildings beautiful, especially knowing that our patients stay here for such a long time — they need something beautiful to look at,’” she says. 

Cara brought in Julie Wynne Jones, an Atlanta art consultant, to help coordinate art for the two new buildings. Julie had a strong relationship with Shepherd Center — her grandparents and parents were involved at the hospital, and she’s a former Junior Committee member. 

Julie sourced and placed art throughout the two new buildings, curating art representative of Shepherd’s culture and the patients and families it cares for. When MCAR builders Choate Construction decided to commission a mural as a gift to the hospital, she brought in Peter, an Atlanta-based muralist. 

Peter’s design process began with research. He combed through photos from Shepherd Center’s 50-year history. He met with Julie and Cara to discuss different color palettes and design elements. By the time he reached the final design, it embraced the hospital’s history, the diversity of its patients, and the beauty of recovery. 

When it came time to install the mural, Peter and his assistant faced a few challenges. First came the wind. Peter says the wind got so strong that it blew paint cups out of their hands, and even blew paint off paintbrushes as they worked. Then, the lift they were using wouldn’t raise or lower when parked on the courtyard ramp. Luckily, Choate Construction got creative and found a solution.

Through the process, Peter learned about the transformative impact Shepherd Center has on its patients and their families. After sharing the final mural on his social media pages, he learned just how widespread that impact is. 

“My followers were reaching out, saying things like, ‘My aunt was at Shepherd 20 years ago,’” he says. “I had lots of interactions with people I didn’t even know, just saying how great Shepherd is and how appreciative they are.” 

Peter hopes that the mural will uplift patients and families at Shepherd and help them find inspiration in those who came before them. 

“I felt a responsibility to create something that says, ‘Hey, you’re going to be OK. You’re in the right place,” Peter says. “I want the people who are here to feel a little bit of inspiration, a little bit of optimism. After an injury, life doesn’t end. There’s still so much you can do.” 

By Erin Kenney