Texas Children’s Cancer Center Patients Make a Mark with Art
Katy, Texas (September 16, 2013) – The Periwinkle Foundation celebrated the opening of the 23rd Annual Making A Mark, an exhibition of art and creative writing by children touched by cancer and blood disorders at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. The Auxiliary Bridge on the Third Floor of the Clinical Care Center was adorned with over 330 unique pieces of artwork, 30 of which were awarded Purple Ribbons by a panel of judges.
All of the artwork will be on display at Texas Children’s Hospital until October 7, 2013, and will then travel throughout the region.
“Making A Mark provides patients and their siblings the opportunity to creatively express the personal struggles that surround childhood illness” said Doug Suggitt, Executive Director of The Periwinkle Foundation. “It is inspiring to see the impact it has not only on the artists and their families, but on the public as well.”
Since 2001, The Periwinkle Foundation has collaborated with the Arts in Medicine Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers to bring fun and unique opportunities for self-expression, empowerment and development of coping skills to patients and their families utilizing professional artists and writers. Each year during the spring and summer, guest artists work with children in the waiting area and infusion area of the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers to create unique, collaborative pieces of art for the opening of the Making A Mark exhibit.
This year’s guest artist, Reginald Adams, created “Healing Hands”, a 3-D mixed-media sculpture designed with 50 molds of children’s hands. Each hand was embellished with paint, collage and other materials then placed in a small mosaic flower pot to resemble a blooming flower. A larger than life “Healing Hand” sculpted from tile mosaics served as a centerpiece. Collectively, the pieces symbolized the love, attention and nourishment required for the children to overcome their battles with cancer.
“I love to inspire and empower children using creativity and this project allowed me to develop an activity that I felt would resonate well with both kids and adults,” said Reginald Adams. “I first experienced Making A Mark 17 years ago, and it is a great honor for me to be the featured guest artist for the 2013 exhibition.”
The artwork will remain at the Auxiliary Bridge for one month before a selection travels to other venues throughout the area until August of 2013. Locations include:
November – December, 2013
Willowbrook Mall
January – February, 2014
Sugar Land Airport
March 2014
Glassell School
April 2014
Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center
West Oaks Mall
May 2014
City Hall Annex
June-August, 2014
Houston Intercontinental and Hobby Airports
To learn more about the The Periwinkle Foundation, visit their web site at periwinklefoundation.org and their Facebook page at facebook.com/periwinklefoundation.
