Exhibition by Cancer Survivors Shows the Power of Art to Heal: Opening Reception at the Premiere Oncology Foundation on Dec. 2

Santa Monica, CA (PRWEB) November 25, 2009

Making art may be beyond what the doctor ordered for cancer survivors, but for members of Cancer & Creativity, it is a prescription for healing. The fruits of their labor will be on display at the opening reception for the exhibit “Zizi Raymond: Works on Paper and Sculpture” on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Premiere Oncology Foundation, located at 2020 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 600 in Santa Monica, California.

In a variety of media and styles, the participants use their full life experiences—including cancer—to fuel their artistic visions. For studio artist Zizi Raymond, a second encounter with cancer led to a marked transformation in her work from figurative drawing to abstract. Her themes form a cohesive body of work for this second passage in her career.

“I had always wanted to make abstract art,” says Raymond. “After brain surgery, I found the Cancer & Creativity group for rehabilitation. It gave me the freedom to make work that was completely different from anything I’ve done before.”

The Cancer & Creativity participants credit the group and its leader, psycho-oncologist and art therapist Dr. Esther Dreifuss-Kattan, PhD, ATR, with providing a unique avenue for healing. The exhibit will also feature works by other artists from the Cancer and Creativity group: Marjaneh Abedini, Howard Bass, Corinne Lightweaver, Mary E. Walter, Michelle Leddel, Patti Yung, Judy Horn, Avery Goldstein, Paul Levine, Irene Gutson, Marie Olmedo, Diane Michelle, Lucy Stone, and Brenda Dorogi. Abstract or figurative, minimalist or baroque, the artworks express a range of emotions and depict unique life stories.

Premiere Oncology Foundation has been hosting Cancer & Creativity for adult cancer survivors in the greater Los Angeles area since Spring 2008. The free art therapy group, funded by the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation and the Premiere Oncology Foundation through the end of 2009, meets Tuesdays from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM in Santa Monica, CA.

The exhibition will be open to the public by appointment only from December 2nd, 2009 to January 31st, 2010 Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To make an appointment, or for more information about the Premiere Oncology Foundation and its many programs, please call (310) 570-1474 or visit http://www.premiereoncology.org.

About
Premiere Oncology Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the care of cancer patients, caregivers and the cancer community through psychosocial support, research, education and integrative medicine.

Beckstrand Cancer Foundation serves patients who are in the midst of cancer treatment and struggling to cope with day-to-day critical survival needs. The programs provide direct financial assistance, patient advocacy, supportive counseling, community resources, and life planning.

Contact:
Robbie Gluckson
Premiere Oncology Foundation
(310) 570-1474

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