From Saturday, May 5, through the morning of Friday, May 18, 2018, Loft 112 hosts a unique, collaborative exhibition, “This is Me! This is Hope!” Adult artists, some of whom are associated with Woodlawn Arts Academy, and students from Dennis Mennie’s Digital Arts Media classes have embellished 14 mannikins, using a variety of media. All pieces speak to the personal journey of a cancer patient and the artist.
Joan Padilla, above, Executive Director of Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center, originated the concept. First, in the summer of 2017, the facility had inherited mannikins from the former fundraising group, Team Underwire, and they were in storage. Second, artist Stacey Barber had conducted an Art Therapy program at Home of Hope. Third, while channel surfing on television, Padilla stopped on The Learning Channel, to view models whose bodies had been painted. At that point, she “wondered about doing [something similar] with Stacey” using the mannikins, rather than live models.
In late 2017, Padilla called Barber with her idea and gave the latter the mannikins in January 2018. Padilla called artists and Woodlawn Arts Academy to find matches for cancer patients.
“The exhibit started [on Friday, March 9,] at The Next Picture Show in Dixon[, IL,] and will travel throughout the Sauk Valley area. The traveling displays will bring awareness to our community of the cancer journey as well as Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center.”
“A cancer diagnosis is a life-altering event. Our mission at Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center is to be there for the patient as they navigate his/her ‘journey.’ Each client is a special person with a unique story. I am grateful to the artists and Home of Hope clients that came together to put this amazing exhibit together. I believe this has been a therapeutic process for both the artist and patient.”
PadilIa concluded, “I was unsure the concept I had imagined could be fulfilled. As you will see, those involved surpassed all my expectations. A big ‘thank you’ to all the artists involved!”
On Friday, May 18, the mannikins will be installed at Woodlawn Arts Academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road, Sterling, IL, for a two-week run.
Wolf of Dreams–Artist: Colton Reuter and Leslie Sonnenberg, Digital Media Arts
Client: Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center Some diagnosed with cancer want to tackle the disease on their own, much like a lone wolf. However, the strength of the wolf comes from the pack. The wolves take care of each other. Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center helps the patient connect with his pack and helps the pack find ways to be there for the patient.
Forever–Artist: Barb Lundeen “I am an artist, and I will be finishing a course of radiation treatments in a couple of weeks. I have to say, I do not fear it as I did prior to my first diagnosis, and it has made me see how important early detection is to a positive outcome.”
Client: Darla Darla’s journey started in a tropical paradise, the journey and uncertainty knitted into our lives. The sparkles are the scattered wonders and joys that make our lives unique.
Rising Out of the Depths—Artist: Stacey Barber Stacy Jo Barber is an artist, art therapist, and licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. She provides clinical counseling and art therapy services at her private practice, Roots & Wings, in downtown Dixon, IL. Barber’s passion is utilizing art and creativity to weave together the intricacies of the human experience, expressing the unique story and emotion that accompanies each of us along our life’s path.
Client: Deb Deb’s story is one reminiscent of the seasons. Out of the death and decay wrought by a stage four breast cancer diagnoses, slowly budded and sprang forth a new season of personal growth and wisdom and an infinite pool of calm. Albert Camus said, “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” This piece is about rising out of the depths of a terrifying and devastating cancer diagnosis and discovering a new season of gratitude, faith, inner peace, and self-love.
Left-to-right are Forever and Rising Out of the Depths.
Woven in Time/Woven In Love—Artist: Linda VonHolten Linda Von Holten is a full-time artist, establishing Artwork By LVH in 2013. LVH currently works primarily in acrylics, traversing a range of surfaces, subjects, and styles, her artistic canon enriched by photography and mixed media. Her next goal is to live and work as a creative artist in London, UK.
Client: Jamie “Jamie and I have known each other since high school. Jamie shared her recent health developments, including the beginnings of her treatments. I chatted with Jamie, met her husband and two daughters, and learned about many more people, places, histories, and experiences that have helped to shape the woman that she is. I am honored to create a visual portrayal of the honest, genuine, thoughtful, and caring person who is Jamie.
Woven in Time/Woven In Love
Rough Skies–Artist: Amy Fenwick Amy graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Studio Art. She has taught art to children and adults for the past ten years.
Client: Lorna Lorna was diagnosed in 2012 with stage three breast cancer. She faced radiation, chemo, and a double mastectomy with courage and positivity. During her treatments she had daycare kiddos to care for and her husband Todd by her side. Her daycare kids were very curious. Lorna was always willing to share her journey with them, even bringing in surgical caps to wear just like hers, when she lost her hair. During this battle Lorna’s husband Todd was her rock. When things got rough they would play Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” to help them through.
Melodic Journey–Artist: Whitni Hey Whitni Hey is a Dixon, IL, resident who has always embraced the arts. She loves performing in theatre, singing, dancing, and writing. Whitni loves life and feels an attitude of appreciation is the key to happiness. She finds joy in her connection to this incredible Earth and sees beauty in all of nature’s bounty.
Client: Lorri There is illumination that shines through the darkness of this difficult struggle. I chose to use decoupage as the main background medium, because it portrays the textures and dimensions of an individual’s layers. I believe we are all a series of strata built upon by our experience, all becoming multi-faceted with the passage of time. The iridescent accents casting the light of the rainbow symbolize optimistic expectation and the promise of another day.
Melodic Journey
No One Has Ever Died of Embarrassment!—Artist: Rock River Valley Painters Guild The Rock River Valley Painter’s Guild exists to support, promote, educate, and present art throughout the Region, through the combined effort and resources of all the members. It is based on the concept of the Japanese proverb, “None of us are as smart as all of us.”
Client: Barb “The mannequin represents my experience. The cancer colors on my mannequin are yellow for bladder, peach for uterine, teal for gynecological cancers, and all the other colors of the rainbow for every other affliction. We all know about pink for breast cancer awareness as the men and women fly their battle color proudly.”
Flourishing Fighter–Artist: Kassie Murray, Digital Media Arts
Client: Cece The armor represents strength throughout her journey and fight with breast cancer. A warrior, she never appeared to be struggling throughout her fight. The floral side represents Cece’s bright personality and love for life, which continues to blossom. The cross symbolozes her faith in God and the support and comfort He provided.
She Wears Armor–Artist: Heather Shore Heather Shore specializes in mixed media collage, creates a variety of wearable and usable art objects, and is available for commissioned murals. She teaches Art at Rock Falls, IL, Schools.
Client: Tara Tara is a mother, daughter, and friend who happens to be battling cancer. Tara has continued to live her life and do all the things a mother is supposed to do, all while carrying this burden. Although she has the help of her friends and family, there is much she still carries alone.
Hope–Artist: Lauren Strauss, Digital Media Arts
Client: Anonymous No matter the news, there is always someone or something to get you through the tough times.
Left-to-right are No One Has Ever Died of Embarrassment!, Flourishing Fighter, She Wears Armor, and Hope.
With Him–Artist: Kaitlyn Mateika, Digital Media Arts
Client: Cece Cece’s personal story includes the important events and meanings of her cancer journey.
I’m Still Me–Artist: Abby Castillo, Sauk Valley Community College Digital Media Arts
Client: Anonymous The black paint over the world represents that cancer can affect anyone, regardless of who they are. The heart represents overcoming cancer, while still being the same person as before diagnosis.
The Way to Happiness–Artist: Devyn Heyman, Digital Media Arts
Client: Anonymous Being diagnosed can sometimes feel like you are trapped in a strange environment, like drowning in water. The fish on the right appears sick, but on the left is a brighter, healthy fish. Finding a way to achieve inner harmony and peace helps the patient fight cancer.
Left-to-right are Life’s Purpose, With Him, I’m Still Me, and The Way to Happiness.
