Discover the Smile Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization whose president, Lisa Martin, was born and raised in Massapequa, recently announced the installation of 100 self-portrait tile paintings at Schneider Children's Hospital's North Shore University facility.

According to Martin, the organization's mission is "to transform children's health care facilities into magical, child-friendly environments," a goal that is being realized by the bright, beautiful portraits that now adorn the hallways of the Pediatric Department on the ninth floor of the tower in the main hospital.

100 local children created these colorful paintings as part of a community outreach project hosted by Discover the Smile Foundation. Each of the portraits, measuring one square foot in size, expresses the individuality of its artist.

Commenting on the installation of the Discover the Smile Tile Project, Dr. Philip Lanzkowsky, MD, executive director of Schneider Children's Hospital said that the tiles have made a tremendous difference to the many people who walk through these well-traveled hallways.

"Our young patients are fortunate to have such engaging portraits to serve as focal points during their visits to Schneider Children's Hospital. The increased number of smiles we observe from the children, parents and staff as they travel through the ninth floor can be attributed to the Discover the Smile Tile Project. We gratefully appreciate their effort and creativity."

Dvora Michaeli, of Dvora's Art Studio in Port Washington, who generously donated her time and many of the materials, ran this massive art project. Michaeli, who serves as art director, as well as a trustee of the foundation, along with a number of wonderful volunteers, provided helpful guidance to the children as they worked, and continues to open her art studio on an appointment-basis to other children who wish to paint portraits.

The portraits were hung and framed by contractor Richard Henn and his staff at Universal Enterprises. Henn donated all of the materials and labor to frame and permanently install the portraits.

The project gave participating children an opportunity to reflect about what it must be like for sick children to have to visit a hospital, and to reach out to those children and say that they care and want them to be happy. In the words of Project Coordinator Amy Rubenstein, "So many local families have been helped at this hospital. The Portrait Project gives healthy children an opportunity to help create a positive environment for other children who are less fortunate; we have empowered them to make a difference."

Due to the overwhelmingly positive reaction of all those who have viewed the tiles, Discover the Smile is determined to have hundreds more painted in the next year (there are many more hallways to brighten!). In connection with this, Discover the Smile is seeking individual and/or corporate sponsors. If you or your company might be interested in underwriting the cost of producing a wall of self-portrait tiles, please contact Lisa Martin at 944-5215.