Mask-making Retreat Invites Breast Cancer Survivors To Dialogue About Shifted Self-Image and Identity.

Qaadira Allen, creative life coach and transformative art facilitator, will lead a full-day art and healing retreat for breast cancer survivors in acknowledgement of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Mask-making, journaling, guided imagery, and more will also be weaved into the experience. A public exhibit of completed masks is planned.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                  

Philadelphia, PA -- A day of art & healing will be offered to African American breast cancer survivors on Saturday, September 27, 2003. This retreat invites participants into a safe and sacred space to explore and express their thoughts and feelings about how their experience with breast cancer has impacted their self-image and identity.

The bulk of the day will be spent creating a three-dimensional mask molded directly from each participant's face in order to invite dialogue around the specific topic. The masks will then be embellished with paint, fiber, hand-made papers, words, metal wire, feathers, beads, and other miscellaneous and found objects. Other experiential activities, such as journaling, sound-making, light movement, guided imagery, etc. will also be weaved into the experience.

A public exhibition of the completed masks during Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) is also being planned.

The full-day session will be facilitated by Qaadira Allen, award-winning artist, creative life coach, and founder of The Center for Transformative Art, an organization dedicated to promoting the power of art & spirit for personal growth, staff development, and community building. Ms. Allen has more than 25 years experience as a transformative art facilitator, writer, health educator, and student of Universal Laws of Attraction and designs and facilitates art & empowerment Playshops regionally and nationally.

This event is sponsored by Sisters in Touch, a breast health awareness and breast cancer support program for African American women, the retreat takes place at the Sugar Loaf Conference Center in Philadelphia.

For more information contact (215) 525-9915.