AUSTIN, Texas --  The annual 'Art of Giving' event allows for patients at Dell Children’s Medical Center to collaborate with local artists.

Art at Dell Children’s Medical Center gives patients like Makenzie Davis, 6, a much-needed break from her hospital room. 

“She was getting really bored and lonely. She gets real teary and cries and wants to go home and thinks about what she can’t do,” said her mother, Sarah Davis 

But when Makenzie Davis gets to play Picasso, she is thrilled.  

“It helps with her recovery, or at least frame of mind, that, you know, she’s not all alone. She’s not stuck being isolated away from everybody,” said Sarah Davis.

“Because I just love painting, that’s the funnest part,” said Makenzie Davis.

The annual ‘Art of Giving’ event raises tens of thousands of dollars to benefit the art and music therapy programs at the children’s hospital. Patients, former patients, and kids in the community work alongside local artists and have a hand in the creative process.

They work on different media, including watercolors, collages, sculptures, and even typewriter poetry. 

“Art therapy is a really great way for the kids to express themselves; either express their issues or forget about them for a while. It really depends on the child and what they’re going through and what they need in the moment,” said Elizabeth Hendley, with the art therapy peogram at Dell Children’s.

Organizers said the event is also an opportunity to teach kids about the importance of giving back to their communities. 

“It’s really neat to see how people in the community come together to create beautiful pieces of art that then raise money for charity. It just makes a bunch of people smile and happy and I really love that,” said 10-year-old Bella Barany, who was among the dozens of children who attended the event.

Therapists said having art therapy at the hospital helps young patients learn to cope, it also reduces their stress and anxiety. Dozens of finished art pieces will be displayed at a gallery in June.