Contact:
Jason Merrill
314-286-0302
[email protected]

ST. LOUIS - The Arts as Healing program at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine will host its second art exhibit, “Hope Grows,” Friday, September 24th at the Duane Reed Gallery, 4729 McPherson Ave., at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks starting at 6:30 p.m.
 
The exhibit will showcase up to six pieces of artwork from over 40 Arts as Healing cancer patients. Arts as Healing is a program facilitated by the School of Medicine's Medical Photography, Illustration and Computer Graphics (MedPIC) department. It is designed to help cancer patients use art as a tool in healing and expressing themselves. The art pieces were created during the program’s art classes throughout a period of months.
 
“They have a very strong attachment to their artwork,” said Vicki Friedman, director of MedPic and the Arts as Healing art class instructor. “Every person who comes into that room, and we close the door to start our art classes, feels a sense of safety and security. This is their safe place to go.”
 
The patients began working with charcoal and watercolors and advanced to acrylic painting and using clay. Participants of the classes are aged 18 to around 80 and they have created a multitude of media and classes are taught on a college level.

During the exhibit each artist will display a biography next to their artwork describing their journey with cancer and who they are in relation to their pieces.

“The biographies will really make the artwork mean more and let the public know what the patients were going through as they were creating their art,” said Holly Fruend, a cancer survivor and Arts as Healing art class patient.

Last year over 400 people attended the art exhibit and more are expected to attend this year. Hope Grows sponsors include Artmart, Circle of Hope Bracelets, the Duane Reed Gallery, The Great Frame Up and Café Napoli.

To attend the art exhibit or for more information, contact Washington University’s MedPic office at [email protected] or 314-362-3320.