Artwork now brightens the hallway at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa

Intermountain Catholic

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Charles and Mei Elliott present Sister of Charity of the Incarnate Word Christina Collins with a plaque dedicating the Peace Tunnel to the sisters.IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — It will no longer be a long or scary walk for residents who traverse the tunnel between the apartments to the main building at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa. Artwork now lines the hallway, which has been named the Peace Tunnel.

During a ceremony on Oct. 22, the Peace Tunnel was dedicated and blessed by Father Anastasius Iwuoha. Kathleen Fallon, assistant administrator at the Villa, welcomed guests and residents to the Peace Tunnel and gave a brief history.

The apartment residents use the tunnel frequently, especially during the winter months. For many years the walls were bare, but now the art gallery will engage the mind as the residents travel through the hall.

The project has a long history. In 2005, it apartment residents Chuck and Mie Elliott envisioned putting art in the hallway. CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa officials also gave thanks to the maintenance staff and to Irma Sine, the senior apartment manager, for their efforts and commitment toward the project.

"Many residents took an active role in finding artistic items and prepared them with frames," Fallon said. "Whether you walk the tunnel for exercise or for pleasure, or use it to get from one place to the other, you will now have the opportunity to enjoy the artistic environment as you travel."

The villa itself can trace its roots back to 1947, when the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word arrived in Salt Lake City to open a home for the elderly. "The sisters’ selfless dedication to service and excellent care over the past 62 years have earned St. Joseph Villa the distinction of being the only Catholic health care facility focused on a continuum of care for seniors age 55 and over," Fallon said.

The quality of care given at the villa continues to be recognized. This year, for the third year in a row, St. Joseph Villa has won the HealthInsight Quality Award for demonstrating high quality health care. And for the second year in a row they have won the second Best in State award.

During the Oct. 22 event, Bill Rohloff, interim chief executive officer, was introduced, and said how happy he was to be in Salt Lake City. He also said he wished he had known of this idea in Dallas, Texas, where he comes from, because the walls there were cement and very drab.

Charles and Mei Elliott presented Incarnate Word Sister Margaret Christina Collins with a plaque dedicating the Peace Tunnel to the sisters. Sister Margaret Christina thanked them on behalf of the sisters.

Much of the artwork had been collected by residents over the years and donated by their families, said Charles Elliott, who formed a committee to gather the artwork and help hang it in the hallway. Some of it has come from other countries, he said.