Sharon Jaye Perrins is the Lead Hospital Teaching Artist at CHAP. Sharon has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. She was first drawn to non-profits during architecture school. Sharon joined CHAP as a volunteer at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in April 2009. Four months later, a part-time paid position was offered to Sharon. She became the Lead Hospital Teaching Artist in November 2011.

Working with CHAP at the hospital has been an amazing experience and takes an artful blend of creativity and compassion. Sharon now specializes in miniature cardboard or popsicle stick houses, crafted lovingly with hot glue! The structures are indeed very sturdy and the kids enjoy them, decorate them and add whimsical landscaping to them. These little houses become expressions for what the kids are longing for and what they look forward to upon their release from the hospital. It doesn’t matter if they have been in the hospital for 2 days or 2 weeks! Everyone needs a little piece of home while they are hospitalized. It is an honor to witness their journeys and help them through their days with art as an outlet.