SPOTLIGHT ON ... DESIGNER
January 2007

Our featured designer for this month is Maryann Corey.

The Portable Playhouse

Early, in 2001, two sisters, Maryann Corey and Patty McGeary, founded The Portable Playhouse in Boston Massachusetts. The idea for the organization came during a lunch discussion over how to fulfill their dreams, and incorporate their passions, into a life long career. The Portable Playhouse was originally born as an idea to establish an after school art program, for all children, to be called The Playhouse.

The sisters searched for a building to house their organization, but were unsuccessful. Still determined to realize their dream, the women set off on a different course. They declared that if the children could not come to the Playhouse, the Playhouse would come to them. Thus, The Portable Playhouse was created. Making the playhouse portable was just the beginning. They discovered that there was a principal need for creative outlets in hospitals. They contacted hospitals in Boston, and Massachusetts General Hospital was the first to open their doors to the therapeutic art beading program provided by The Portable Playhouse.

Recognizing the tremendous need for innovative and healthy distractions to help enhance the healing process, Maryann and Patty were more inspired then ever that their program was providing a vital service. The program presents beading for children of all ages and all stages of recovery. They work one-on-one at the child's bedside to help create a more relaxing atmosphere. When Maryann relocated to New Jersey, the dreams of helping children heal traveled with her. Maryann contacted hospitals there and was soon working in local children's hospitals. The Portable Playhouse currently runs it's beading programs in nine hospitals in New Jersey and will be expanding into Rhode Island and New York in 2007.

In late 2006 The Portable Playhouse piloted a beading program in a Women's Cancer Center in New Jersey. When funding has been secured the beading program will be a welcome part of the healing process at the Center. In addition, The Portable Playhouse was recently commissioned to provide their beading services to a Children's Hospice program, bringing beading to the homes of terminally ill children.

The enthusiastic responses from hospital staff, parents and especially and most importantly the children have inspired the Portable Playhouse to continue and expand its mission to bring smiles to children in hospitals and centers across the country. The volunteers who are provided with a bead box and The Portable Playhouse mascot, Silly Milly have been responsible for beading smiles with over 22,000 children to date.

Our goal is to be in every hospital throughout the nation. If you are interested in becoming a part of The Portable Playhouse, either by volunteering or donating, please contact us via our website: www.theportableplayhouse.org or telephone our New Jersey office 732 826 1392.

"If the purpose of art is to nourish the spirit, what more appropriate place to find it than in a hospital, where our spirit may encounter its' most critical moments".