A group of students posing for a photo while holding the art they created during Sunshine & Color

As part of Nurses Month, the UCLA School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs hosted Sunshine & Color at the UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden. 

The event was led by UCLA School of Nursing faculty member, Dr. Charlene Niemi, and was designed to provide students from different cohorts, including B.S., MECN, APRN, and PhD, the opportunity to connect and stretch their creative imaginations. 

Sunshine & Color is part of the event series in celebration of Nurses Month, which takes place each May. This community building program allowed for the time and space for students to network, connect with their peers, and engage in watercolor painting. Partnership with faculty is a key component of the Student Success model at UCLA Nursing. 

“The simple act of painting and sharing food together helps to remind us why we are here, both as students, faculty, and staff,” Niemi said. “It was a time of laughter, losing our cares and stress, and allowing nature and art to heal. A special thanks to UCLA School of Nursing Office of Student Affairs for providing this opportunity.”

A wide shot of the Sunshine and Color event