Mayo Clinic Hosts International Art Exhibition That Shows Benefits of Art Therapy Lilly Oncology on Canvas Brings Cancer Awareness Through Imagery

Thursday, October 13, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Beginning Oct. 24, 2005, the Mayo Clinic Women's Cancer Program will display 30 pieces of original artwork that visualize the complex nature and effects of women's cancer. Featuring select works from an international art competition, Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Woman's Cancer Journey will be open to viewers 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday through Oct. 31, 2005, in the Hage Atrium, located in the subway level of the Siebens building.

Artists with a special interest in the art expression of cancer as an illness will be giving short talks Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:15 p.m. At 3 p.m. each weekday, Mayo Clinic chaplains will lead a Time of Remembrance, which will include brief remarks and time for prayer, reflection and remembering those who lost the battle to cancer.

"Many cancer survivors and caregivers have found art to be a useful means for exploring and sharing one's reality of their journey with cancer," says Marlene Frost, Ph.D., of the Mayo Clinic Women's Cancer Program. "This is an opportunity to see some truly inspirational works created expressly to deal with feelings related to cancer diagnosis."

Designed to honor and highlight the impact of women's cancers, Lilly Oncology on Canvas — an international art competition and exhibition organized by Eli Lilly and Co. — made its United States debut in June 2005 at the Harrison Center for the Arts in Indianapolis. Over 400 entries from 23 countries were submitted for the competition, the majority created by family members, friends and care providers of women diagnosed with cancer. Only 19 percent of the artwork came from professional artists or art students.

Lilly Oncology on Canvas was intended as a means by which women diagnosed with cancer could explore their illness through artistic expression. The competition yielded 24 winners in various categories, including "best of exhibition." Winners were also chosen for each of the six media categories (watercolor, oil, acrylic, photography, pastel and charcoal). A predetermined sum of money was donated to each winner's cancer charity of his or her choice.

For more information regarding Mayo's exhibit of Lilly Oncology on Canvas: Expressions of a Woman's Cancer Journey, contact the Women's Cancer Program at 507-284-4300.

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center offers several education programs. For more information, please visit the Cancer Education Center Web site.

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