Research has shown that creating and engaging with art can help reduce anxiety and depression, as well as improve physical quality of life. In celebration of art’s unique ability to inspire, heal and connect, City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago, part of one of the nation’s largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, launched ‘Artistic Expressions of Hope’, a regional initiative that transformed sidewalks, public spaces and our campuses with vibrant works of art throughout the second week of July. Through the creativity of local artists with personal connections to cancer, each artwork reflected the hope, strength and resilience that emerge in the face of cancer and shared an important message with patients and their loved ones: you are not alone.
Watch a re-cap from the four-day experience below.
The Role of Creative Expression During Cancer Treatment
For many cancer patients, the healing power of art can offer an outlet for processing difficult emotions and treatment challenges. “For me, art is like therapy. It allows me to disconnect from reality while also helping me stay present and intentional,” says Maryanne Hewitt, a City of Hope Chicago breast cancer survivor. Following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, which included chemotherapy, hormone therapy and a mastectomy with reconstruction, Maryanne found renewed comfort and hope in art, drawing her inspiration from trees and nature.
“You can’t create artwork if you’re not in the moment,” she continues. “Focusing on the creative process helped ease my anxiety, quiet the thoughts I would often ruminate on, and gave me something positive to focus on while I was going through treatment. That, in itself, has been incredibly therapeutic.”
While art is often associated with drawing and painting, healing through creativity is not limited to what appears on a canvas or sketchpad. Art may also include journaling, writing, poetry, music, dancing or another form of creative expression. What matters is not the medium, but the opportunity it creates to pause, reflect and process emotions that can be difficult to put into words. “No matter the form, art has a unique ability to give voice to experiences that can be difficult to describe or manage,” said Alexandria Callahan, Ph.D, L.C.P.C., B.C.-D.M.T, G.L.C.M.A, Manager of Behavioral Health at City of Hope Chicago. “Every piece of artwork — each painting, drawing, poem, dance or song — can help people explore and understand their emotions, foster resilience and find hope amid a cancer diagnosis.”
Supporting Emotional Wellbeing During the Cancer Journey
True healing goes beyond the treatments patients receive. "Cancer affects more than the body. It can profoundly impact a person's sense of self, relationships and emotional wellbeing, underscoring the importance of treating the whole person," said Marlon Kleinman, M.D., hematologist-oncologist at City of Hope Cancer Center North Shore. “By supporting not only physical health, but also emotional, mental and creative wellbeing, we create opportunities for healing that extend beyond medicine, allowing patients to find renewed hope, resilience and a greater sense of strength."
That commitment to whole-person care is woven throughout a patient’s treatment at City of Hope. In addition to our supportive care services, we offer a variety of creative programs, including art-based activities, movement classes, music experiences, karaoke and other opportunities for self-expression and connection. These creative experiences offer patients an opportunity to reconnect with themselves, engage with others and find moments of joy and hope amid treatment.
Those same opportunities for connection, reflection and self-discovery came to life through ‘Artistic Expressions of Hope.’ While the art itself was temporary, the countless moments of reflection and conversation it sparked have left a lasting impact on those that attended, along with a revitalized sense of hope.