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Healing Art Creative collaborations provide solace and strength for those touched by cancer. BY JENNY MUSLIN
G
LENCOE NATIVE JENNA Benn
Shersher was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called gray zone lymphoma. Upon completing treatment, Benn Shersher wanted to help others affected by cancer and founded Twist Out Cancer, an international nonprofit charitable organization that provides psychosocial support to cancer survivors and their loved ones through creative arts programming. An offshoot of Twist Out Cancer, Brushes with Cancer is a program that pairs those impacted by cancer (survivors, previvors and caregivers) with an artist who in turn creates a piece of artwork representing their journey. After connecting in person, by phone or through email, each artist creates a one-of-akind piece of art that represents the subject’s experience. The process spans between four and six months so the artist can truly get to know the individual’s full story. The process culminates in a signature celebratory art exhibition, gala and auction where the artwork is revealed for the first time. The Chicago gala date will be announced later this year. Breast cancer survivor Grace Lombardo found that being involved in Brushes with Cancer as an “inspiration” allowed her to tell her story and see it reflected back through someone else’s eyes. “This outside perspective has been able to validate my feelings as they relate to my cancer odyssey,” she says. “The sadness is real, the pain is real, but the healing, both physical and emotional, is also real.” “As an artist, it’s incredible to bring someone’s experience with cancer to life though a piece of art,” says artist Artist Daniela Dr. David Turok. “The Herling’s portrait of process is therapeubreast cancer survivor, Laura Alexander tic—for a survivor to put
38 SPR I N G 2019 M A K E IT B E T T E R
Your Chicago / ART “The sadness is real, the pain is real, but the healing, both physical and emotional, is also real.” — BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR GRACE LOMBARDO
Inspiration Bret Hoekema (L) and artist Paddy O’Connell (R)
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their story out there, and equally for me to get a perspective for how challenging the fight with cancer can be. After having one friend recently overcome a battle with leukemia and losing another friend to breast cancer before I was able to show her the final art piece depicting her story—I don’t know how else I would be able to deal with the heaviness of these situations without the support of the Brushes and Twist community.” More than 350 unique art pieces have been created in Brushes with Cancer programs throughout the world in the last seven years. In 2019, Brushes with Cancer will expand to Philadelphia, Austin, and Detroit for the first time, while also returning home to Chicago. This month, Twist Out Cancer introduces a new art therapy program in Chicago called TwistShops, to be led by board member and registered art therapist Jacqueline Carmody, LCPC, ATR-BC. TwistShops are arttherapy-focused workshops that promote healing, relaxation and emotional recovery through arttherapy-based interventions, designed to reduce
For additional information about Twist Out Cancer, TwistShops, and Brushes with Cancer, visit twistoutcancer.org.
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PHOTO CREDIT
Breast Cancer survivor Grace Lombardo with artist Bowen Kline
symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress related to cancer. Participants will have access to a variety of art-making materials and the opportunity to reflect in a comfortable, safe and supportive environment. “There are many benefits to making art with others, whether it’s a collaborative mural or simply just sharing a studio space,” says Carmody. “The experience of being in a group offers the opportunity to make a connection with others. Art therapy groups provide support and can ease feelings of isolation and social anxiety because the materials and images can do the communicating. You can be actively engaged in an art therapy group without the need to be verbal.” TwistShops are open to patients, survivors, caretakers, and family and friends of loved ones. One doesn’t have to be an artist to engage in the art therapy process. The environment is nonjudgmental and encourages participants to indulge in informal and mindful art-making. TwistShops have proven to be effective in the past. “Participants have found the events to be relaxing, exhilarating, and extremely moving,” Carmody says. “Many did not expect to have an emotional response, but found the workshops very helpful in finding clarity with their own stories and their involvement with Twist Out Cancer and Brushes with Cancer.” Upcoming TwistShops are scheduled for Sunday, April 7 at the Fulton Street Collective, 1821 W. Hubbard Street, Suite 307, Chicago, and Sunday, May 12, at the Art Center of Highland Park. Look for more TwistShops dates in addition to several events in the fall.