OCEAN CITY, Md., May 24, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Raymond A.
Wood Foundation (RAWF) launches the third year of "Art of
Surviving," a virtual art exhibition that celebrates the creativity
of the brain tumor community during the month of May, which is
Brain Tumor Awareness Month. Brain tumor patients and survivors,
along with caregivers and family members from all over the world
submitted over a hundred entries in all types of media, including
photography, digital art, drawing, painting, printmaking, 3-D,
multimedia, and creative writing.
Founded in 2017, the Raymond A. Wood Foundation helps improve
quality of life for hypothalamic-pituitary brain tumor survivors by
providing access to education, technology, and evolving
treatments.
Many brain tumor survivors use art as a way to cope with the
challenges that come with treatment, a means to calm and focus a
healing brain, or an opportunity to express their experiences. Some
survivors struggle with typical recreational activities due to the
medical implications and long-term comorbidities that come with
treatments of certain tumor types, leading them to art as an
activity that they can do independently or with family members.
The idea of this yearly art show came when RAWF's executive
director, Amy Wood, saw that her
son, treated for a brain tumor at age 4, continually gravitated
toward drawing and coloring above all other activities.
"He had never really been interested in art prior to his tumor
treatment, and then suddenly coloring and drawing were his go-to,"
said Wood. "He really seemed to use it as an outlet in times where
he clearly needed a break from outside stimulation."
Wood noticed artists emerging among brain tumor groups she
participated in online, so she asked a colleague, Olive Mawyer, now the show's coordinator, to
help her pull together an art exhibition for the month of May.
"I thought providing a platform for sharing artwork would be a
positive thing for the foundation to do during Brain Tumor
Awareness Month," said Wood. "I didn't know how it would go, but I
figured we would build it and see if people would be interested in
participating."
The first Art of Surviving was launched in May of 2018 with
about 10 participants and has grown steadily. This year, there are
115 entries on display, with over 40 participants from all over the
world.
The artwork is judged by a panel of professional artists and
writers who review and score the work and winners receive cash
prizes. There is also a People's Choice Award, where citizen judges
can cast votes for their favorites.
"There are some beautiful and moving expressions through art and
writing in the show this year along with some truly inspiring
stories of survival," said Mawyer. "We hope people will take time
to explore the gallery and learn more about the experiences of
survivors and their caregivers and family members."
Artwork, creative writing, and even a music video is on display
at http://www.artofsurviving.gallery. The public is invited to view
the work and vote on their favorites. Voting ends on May 30, and winners will be announced on
May 31.
SOURCE The Art of Surviving