Exhibition Features Work of Those Touched by Cancer

The Cancer Center of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College Adult Education invite the community to the third Art Heals exhibition and reception to celebrate the artists’ work on Friday, January 7 from 4:30-6:30pm at the Cancer Center, 540 W. Pueblo St.

Art Heals features the work of cancer patients, survivors and community members. The extraordinary collection of works gives vision and voice to the experiences of those who have been touched by cancer.

“Art fosters hope and provides a welcomed distraction which enables people to focus on something instead of their health,” said Rick Scott, President of the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara. “These classes allow participants to bond and support each other while sharing paint, paper, and a lot of laughs.”

People with cancer are increasingly turning to complementary therapies to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and boost their ability to cope with stress. Research suggests that the creative process involved in making art is healing and life-enhancing.

In order to support these and other classes offered through the Cancer Center’s Wellness Program, Members of Santa Barbara Art Association have generously donated their works for a raffle to be held at the reception. A wide range of activities, classes, and complementary medicine services such as yoga, nutrition, and healing touch are offered through the Center’s Wellness Program free-of-charge to those living with cancer.

The Wellness Program, in partnership with SBCC Adult Education, has provided the creative art classes for over ten years with a vision to help people uncover their own creativity through painting and in the process, promote health and well-being.

Local Artist, Rick Stich, who has been teaching art to cancer patients, survivors, and family members at the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara for eight years, will showcase his students’ work in the hallways of the Cancer Center. Over 12 artists will be revealing their latest masterpieces at a reception. The event is open to the public and wine and cheese will be provided, and raffle tickets will be available for purchase; need not be present to win.

“For many, making art provides an upbeat distraction that allows those facing life-threatening illness to focus on something positive instead of their health or daily medical routine for a time,” added Scott. “For others, it is an opportunity for self-expression without having to use words.”

The exhibit, which is a permanent, revolving display, provides a continual source of inspiration to patients, family members, and staff at the Cancer Center. It serves as a visual reminder of the power of the creative process and the role art plays in health and healing. For more information, contact the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara at (805) 898-2204 or wellness@ccsb.org.

Since 1949, the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara has remained in the vanguard of comprehensive outpatient cancer treatment with personnel from some of the nation’s renowned medical programs, the latest science and technology, and integrative wellness and patient support programs. The independent and charitably supported Cancer Center of Santa Barbara has earned a reputation for compassionately serving those on the journey to live with, through, and beyond cancer.