The Periwinkle Foundation presents Making a Mark®: An exhibition of art by children touched by cancer and blood disorders
Texas Children’s Cancer Center’s Making a Mark® art exhibition is on display on the Auxiliary Bridge between Texas Children's Hospital Clinical Care Center and West Tower.
Featuring Guest Artist Ann Johnson & the Friendship Fence
Sponsored by the Periwinkle Foundation, this exhibit showcases art created by children ages 3 to 22 who have been touched by cancer and blood disorders. A panel of judges selected blue ribbon pieces of art in three groups they felt most effectively represented Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Making A Mark® provides artistic and creative writing opportunities for children undergoing treatment at Texas Children's Cancer Center. Each year, professional artists and writers, with the help of volunteers, work with the patients and their siblings. Additionally, The Periwinkle Foundation provides various types of cultural entertainment throughout the year. More than 380 children participate each month, free of charge.
The program takes place in the waiting room and the infusion area of the clinic and provides patients and siblings something to look forward to when coming in for treatment. More importantly, it is an important outlet for expressing feelings and fears about the cancer treatment process. As a result, the children develop coping skills and in a situation where they feel that everything is out of their control, they are totally in control of their art and writing.
Each year a professional artist is invited to work with the children on a specific project that is in their area of expertise. Painted canvases, a thousand origami butterflies, an art car, and mosaics that became columns and tables are just some of the pieces that have been created in the past. The goal is to provide the children with a project that is artistically unique from any other art experiences they have had in the past. The children learn new ways to be creative and how to work as a team towards one beautiful end piece.
The highlight of the Making A Mark® art program is the month long exhibit in the fall of each year at Texas Children's Hospital. Most of the submissions to this judged show come from Texas Children's Cancer Center, but clinics all over the world are invited to participate. The art that the children created with the professional artist is the centerpiece of the event. Many of the young artists attend the opening and take pride in discussing their art with guests from the Houston community.
At the end of the month, the blue ribbon pieces travel to other venues throughout the city and the country.
Making A Mark® presented by The Periwinkle Foundation will be presenting at Louisiana Tech from Oct 15, 2012 – Dec 14, 2012
About The Periwinkle Foundation
The Periwinkle Foundation develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults and families who are challenged by cancer and other life threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children's Hospital.
Each year more than 4,000 children are touched by Periwinkle programs Camp Periwinkle, Camp YOLO, Family Camp, the Long Term Survivor Program and the Arts & Creative Writing Program which culminates each year in a traveling exhibition of art by children touched by cancer and blood disorders. Through camping, recreational and arts programming, The Periwinkle Foundation provides opportunities for these special children and their families to heal emotionally, lead fuller lives and become stronger survivors. With the generous help of friends and supporters in the community, The Periwinkle Foundation changes lives for life. Learn more at www.periwinklefoundation.org or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/periwinklefoundation.