Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/13061
JULY 2010 HEALTH & HAPPINESS 62 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT : ART SMART THE ART OF HEALING WRITTEN BY MIKE GUARDABASCIO PHOTOGRAPHED BY MIRANDA MIRSEC Art is powerful — it has the power to astound, amaze, and alter history. But as the participants of Pacific Shores Hematology-Oncology Foundation's "Artist Within" program can attest — it can also help to heal. The Artist Within workshops meet once a week, at downtown institution Lyon Art Supplies. The program is run at no-cost to participants, as they receive instruction and even materials for free (Lyon donates the space and some of the supplies, and PSHOF takes care of the rest). The program is one of the ways that the foundation goes about its mission of improving the lives of those dealing with cancer. "The gift of being able to express and do art is something we should all have," said program director Jann Buaiz. "When you're thrown into the trenches of cancer, you need to have all the weapons to fight that war." The program was founded in 2008 as part of the foundation, and was a way to help improve the quality of life for cancer patients. One of the board members at the foundation, Elizabeth Lucas, is a locally known artist and cancer survivor, who was one of the participants in the first workshop. There are 8-10 week workshops that run concurrently. At one of the more advanced workshops, several patients recently spoke about what the class has meant to them. "This is an amazing gift," said Daphne Walsh. "This organization has given me a whole lot of strength to get out of the house. It takes your mind off of things." The program is also open to caregivers. Jo Ann Harvey attends with her husband, Richard, who is a brain cancer survivor. "You can escape from the world for a little bit," she said, praising the camaraderie among those taking the lessons. "Sometimes it's tough going through day after day with our realities." Far from being just a cathartic experience for the artists, the workshop has produced challenging, technically skilled art. Instructor Vicky Andayo has condensed a full semester's worth of techniques into eight lessons, and she moves quickly from line and color theory to more advanced, stylistic methods. "We try to connect each [technique] to an experience," Andayo said. "As a result, the pieces created are incredibly personal, but also often chart a steep learning curve." ARTIST WITHIN WORKSHOP