THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504210235
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 119 lines
``Art is vital for life;
it's not just a frill.''
- L. Randy Harrison, Chesapeake's fine arts coordinator
THE FEELINGS OF FEAR, anger and uncertainty that cancer patients feel can be a powerful source of creative energy.
This energy is captured in an unusual exhibition of art created by professional and amateur artists from Hampton Roads who have personally experienced the emotions associated with having cancer.
As a way of observing the recent opening of Chesapeake General Hospital's new multimillion-dollar Cancer Treatment Center, a special art exhibition, ``The Healing Arts,'' will feature the works of more than 20 cancer survivors/artists from Chesapeake and South Hampton Roads.
The display will be designed by Jim Armbruster, exhibit design coordinator for the Chrysler Museum. It will be on display next Sunday at the hospital's atrium lobby from 1 to 4 p.m.
``In this day and age, when a lot of people are looking at the arts as fluff and frivolous, it's good to remind ourselves that art is not only a way of enriching our lives but can actually be a matter of survival,'' said L. Randy Harrison, coordinator of the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission and the one who came up with the exhibit's idea. ``You don't have to be a practicing artist to find that it is a wonderful outlet, as well as a healing process.''
The Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission is co-sponsoring the art event along with Chesapeake General Hospital.
Harrison, who has worked with the American Heart Association, said she got the idea for the exhibit after reading a magazine article.
``I had read in Art News magazine an article about art having a healing power,'' Harrison said. ``And since I have a friend who has gone through the experience, I thought, why not do something like this? We thought it would be something different to highlight the opening of the hospital's new cancer center.''
Harrison said she talked to an artist friend who had experienced cancer, Craigie Gordon of Norfolk, and they spoke to Chesapeake General Hospital's public relations and marketing people about the idea. The Chesapeake General folks were sold on the idea and soon the project snowballed, Harrison said.
After an appeal for artists who had experienced cancer appeared in the newspaper, professional and amateur artists from around the region enthusiastically offered their creations.
In fact, the idea seemed so unique and appealing, the Chrysler Museum's Jim Armbruster volunteered his expertise to design the exhibit.
``I thought it was something I'd like to do,'' Armbruster said. ``I called and volunteered.''
Armbruster said he was drawn to the project because of the power found in art.
``It's about personal expression and self-healing through the arts,'' he said. ``It's very fascinating to see the strength in the art's imagery from an artist who has gone through this predicament. That's the magic of this exhibit, some people have found strong emotions, which shows up in the art, while others have found a serenity.''
Armbruster said it will be his job to find the best possible way to present the varied works in the exhibition.
``I was struck by the variety of art in the exhibit,'' he said. ``There are still lifes, abstract art, photographs and landscapes.''
One artist created a quilt, featuring the outlines of hands from family, friends and neighbors to help her during her therapy and had photos taken of her, complete with bald head, while losing herself in dance music. Another put together a mixed-media piece featuring her actual cancer x-rays.
One artist painted a woman performing a breast self-examination. Another returned to clay sculpture and created several pieces of faces and reclining figures. Another produced a powerful and colorful kaleidoscope-like rendering of two crowing roosters.
Two of the artists created inspiring stained glass designs and several others painted or drew serene, soothing landscapes. A few composed poems to express the emotions of the cancer experience.
Harrison said most of the artists said their art offered a break or sanctuary from their cancer ordeal.
``They all found that art can be a powerful medicine,'' she said. ``Art can soothe. It can heal, and it can offer respite from these intense experiences.''
``Those of us not in this situation or who have never experienced cancer first hand, can learn from these works,'' Armbruster said. MEMO: [For a related story, see page 13 of the Chesapeake Clipper for this
date.]
ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
THE HEALING ARTS
[Color Photo]
Martha McClelland photographed by Beth Agresta
Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Edna Lazaron of Norfolk created a self-portrait using some of her
medical records. The work of 20 cancer survivors will be on
display.
``Laughing Child'' by Suzanne Bauer of Chesapeake will be one of the
sculptures on display at Chesapeake General Hospital.
SCHEDULE
All activities take place 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 30, at
Chesapeake General Hospital, 736 N. Battlefield Blvd.
``The Healing Arts'' exhibition - Local cancer survivors share
their art.
Cancer Treatment Center tours - A close-up look at radiation
therapy.
Free skin screenings - Physicians will examine unusual moles
(Call 547-7800 for an appointment)
Cooking demonstrations.
Cancer risk profile - Learn your risks with a computerized
survey.
Music - Lee Jordan-Akers will conduct the Virginia Wesleyan
Chamber Orchestra.
by CNB