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Art for Fun

January through March, 2008

"Art for Fun" Art Workshops are a series of introductory art workshops offered to adult cancer patients and their guests. Participants gather in the Patient & Family classroom on Level 1 of the UM Comprehensive Cancer Center the second Wednesday of each month from September through May.

The Art for Fun Program is sponsored by The Zoë Foundation for Infusion Art Therapy and is free to all participants. Zoë Foundation funds art programs for cancer patients. Most cancer foundations are focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis and education. In contrast, this foundation is focused on helping patients cope with their cancer treatments.

About the Artists

Cynthia Castrodale:
First, allow me to express how honored I am to be asked to display my work. Since February of 2006 I have been battling stage II breast cancer. At the UM Cancer Center I have received the most comprehensive care possible for which I am truly grateful and blessed. There are people whom I wish to thank. Margaret, my art therapist, whose encouragement and persistence was a big influence. Jane, my psych-oncology social worker, with her encouragement I have been able to heal. Maren, my social worker, has always been there for me in my corner with answers. My artwork is very healing for me. Margaret has been a big influence in my becoming involved in painting. Caught in a very severe depression, painting restored peace of mind, gave great joy, and selfconfidence. There is also my reliance on God, who has given me strength to deal with my cancer.

Janice Moszynski:
In June 2006 I was diagnosed with Stage-1B lung cancer. I underwent surgery and chemotherapy and am doing very well now. A few months after I finished chemotherapy I was able to retire from Ford motor company and immediately went on a writing and yoga retreat to the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia to renew and heal emotionally and physically. With that journey, I discovered that my camera could express the emotions of what I had gone through in a very therapeutic artistic way. People responded positively to my photography and a new creative endeavor began.Every photograph is heartfelt . . . I feel some emotional connection to every thing that I photograph. I believe that is why people respond to it. I also feel such gratitude for my healing, to all the doctors, and nurses and hospital staff at UM that helped me so much and for the opportunity to now do something creative that I love.

Lynn Shonts:
In November of 2004 I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. After two surgeries and nine months of treatment I am doing well. As a retired kindergarten teacher I had "done art" with hundreds of children over the years, but an "Art for Fun" workshop at the UM Cancer Center gave me the opportunity to focus on my own art. This was so helpful during treatment, because when focused on creating an art piece, I had nothing else on my mind, except the joy of the experience. I enjoy all media, but presently am focusing on quilting for family and charity.

Julie Child::
Art therapy has been fun, joyful, relaxing, and meaningful to me. For me, the camera is a wonderful way to see life in all its color and all its beauty. Whether I'm in my neighborhood or out in nature, there is sure to be something special. Recently, my husband and I went hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Nature heals! I am a breast cancer survivor and I live in Ann Arbor with my fabulous husband, Charles. Our children are 19 and 21. I am a writer and editor with my own small business.

The Voices Art Gallery was made possible through a generous gift by the FRIENDS of the University Hospital.

The Art Therapy Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center is made possible through donations from the Robert Bruce Dunlap Memorial Fund, and others.

 

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See Also:

• Grief and Loss Program
• Complementary Therapy Program