Self-expression is healing expression. It comes in many different forms, and during this year’s CompleteLife Art Show, hospital guests will see paintings, woodworking, canvas art and more.
The annual program is held in the atrium of IU Health Simon Cancer Center and continues through September 30. For its fifth year, the program is sponsored by the Heroes Foundation, an organization focused on providing provides meaningful support to cancer patients and education about cancer prevention and research. The Foundation is one of the partners with the IU Health Cancer Resource Center.
CompleteLife is part of the Cancer Resource Center that provides comprehensive patient care including music, massage, and art therapy. Some of the works in this year’s art show were created by patients through art therapy.
Part of this year’s show, “Finding Calm in the Chaos,” is a painting by Teresa Altemeyer, who is being treated at IU Health for chronic lymphocytic leukemia and breast cancer. The watercolor is titled, “Nature’s Calm.” In her artist statement, Altemeyer writes: “Nature, gardens and flowers in particular have contributed to the peace in my family for generations. When stress and anxiety are at their peak and the harsh realities of everyday life seem overwhelming, especially in the world of cancer, we always escape to the gardens where grandma, sister, and herself. I have created and lovingly cared for. “
The portrait for the art show depicts Altemeyer’s youngest daughter, Amy, as a nurse specializing in cancer treatment. Vibrant watercolors show her daughter in the garden and farmers market near her New Jersey home.
Altemeyer writes: “The last few years, the class of COVID-19 associated with cancer has caused difficulties for the medical profession. “I hope those affected can find the garden in their lives, bringing them peace.”
Also on show this year is a hand-dyed cotton work by Kate Reuschel, who has been treated at IU Health for Hodgkin lymphoma. The piece is titled “Calm Repeat” and is part of the series. In her artist statement, Reuschel writes: “I can’t sew as much as I did before cancer (too much nerve damage) and I’m spending my time using all of my rags. yourself to do wall art for the house. The repeated sight of pebble-like pieces is extremely calming. It’s almost a meditative state that I’m in while sewing around each person.”
The CompleteLife Arts Program will begin “First Fridays” at the Harrison Center for the Arts. October 7 and continue at the Center through October 30.
– By IU Health Senior Journalist, TJ Banes, tfender1@iuhealth.org
