While volunteers cannot share their talents in hospitals now, many tapped their artistic skills on Tuesday to send messages of gratitude to medical providers and other employees who are tending to the sick and keeping hospitals clean and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using chalk, volunteers drew pictures on sidewalks of sunshine, rainbows, hearts and flowers along with messages of thanks to honor all the people who are caring for people at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital.

“Thank you for the work that you do. You rock!” one message read.

“We wanted to let staff know that we appreciate their work and we appreciate how hard they are working,’’ said Jenny Ricklefs, manager of volunteer services at University of Colorado Hospital.

The nine volunteers-turned-artists wore gloves because they shared chalk. They practiced physical distancing by keep 6 feet apart from one another. And they had a wonderful time.

“We’re truly honored to show our support for the people who are caring for patients,’’ Ricklefs said. “What they are doing has not gone unnoticed.’’