The WIC lobby at the Lenoir County Health Department. Photo by Catherine Hardee / Neuse News

A space in Lenoir County dedicated to assisting children and their mothers has received an upgrade.

The WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Lobby at the Lenoir County Health Department in Kinston is now a brighter, more welcoming space thanks to the work of Beaufort County artist Tabatha Ferrell.

Ferrell, who painted multiple murals at the Beaufort County WIC program office several years ago, spent two weeks earlier this year painting cheerful outdoor scenes on the walls of the waiting area for the Lenoir County WIC program. 

The health department hosted an event Monday to showcase the murals to members of the community and to community leaders.

Lenoir County WIC Program Director Tyjuana Atkinson said the painted walls have already been a big hit with those who have come in since they were completed.

“The clients love it because it’s very inviting and engaging. The paintings are full of detail, so every time they come they can see something new,” Atkinson said.

Farrell said she got her sketches approved before she began painting, but she knew from the start she wanted to create a relaxed environment that promoted healthy living.

“I knew it needed to be bright and colorful, and I wanted to include scenes of active outdoor play, healthy foods and adults supporting children to do those things. I also wanted it to feel like a storybook, to take you away from life’s problems for a little while, and to make kids feel happy,” Farrell said. 

Lenoir County Health Director Pamela Brown said funding for the lobby revitalization came from a state pool of surplus funds. Brown said they were notified last week that a proposal to expand the paintings had been approved, and Farrell will have the opportunity to paint the rest of the check-in area as well as several other rooms in the WIC offices.  

Atkinson said Lenoir County’s WIC program already serves 96 percent of those who are eligible, but she would encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify to contact them to see what services they can provide. 

The WIC program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, and serves women who are pregnant or less than six months postpartum, infants under one year of age and children up to age 5 whose income is less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level and who are considered at nutritional risk.  

Call Lenoir County WIC at 252-526-4300 for more information.