Twist Out Cancer hosted an opening night reception in Glencoe at Writers Theatre on April 6 for its Spring 2024 Brushes With Cancer Program and art exhibition.
The evening featured more than 30 works of art resulting from collaborations between an artist and a person (referred to as an Inspiration). The “Inspiration” is an individual impacted by cancer as a patient or as a caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with cancer.
The organization was founded in 2012 by cancer survivor Jenna Benn Shersher of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, formerly of Glencoe and of the New Trier Township High School Class of 1999.
What started as a small art exhibition in Chicago for 20 Inspirations and matching artists has grown into an international program, impacting more than a quarter million people. The Writers Theatre event was viewed as a homecoming for Benn Shersher.
“It’s so wonderful for me to come home,” Benn Shersher said. “This is where I was raised, this is where I had so many core memories, this is where I was diagnosed, this is where I got better.”
Benn Shersher, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Grey Zone Lymphoma at 29, said there weren’t many people for her to connect with on her struggles.
“There were so many, ‘What ifs?’’ she said. “In many ways I felt I got to write my own story.”
Benn Shersher and spouse David Shersher have two children – Noa, 8, a third-grader and Lilou, 3.
“Every day I wake up incredibly grateful that I’m here,” Benn Shersher said.
The Spring 2024 Brushes with Cancer program featured 70 participants from 14 states and six countries.
“We want to empower people to come forward and to feel comfortable sharing their story and how they’ve been impacted by cancer,” Benn Shersher said. “At the heart of Twist Out Cancer is storytelling.”
Tommy Holl of Burr Ridge grew up in Clarendon Hills and is of the Hinsdale Central High School class of 2002. Holl, a cancer survivor, found an artist match in Bari Fleischer of West Rogers Park who grew up in Glenview and is of the New Trier Township High School Class of 2002.
Fleischer created an acrylic, silver leaf, crystal, glitter and gel medium on canvas called “Peace, Love, and Elfies.” Holl is a performing artist who likes pop art and artist Andy Warhol and has a history of interpreting a green elf to spread holiday cheer. Holl’s favorite color is green.
“Peace, Love, and Elfies” includes Holl’s left hand. Holl was diagnosed in 2013 with a rare cancer after living with a bump on his left pinky finger.
Fleischer began the painting last December and completed it on Feb. 10. Holl got to see the finished work nine days later.
“I went over to her house…I cried,” Holl said upon seeing “Peace, Love, and Elfies.” “It was just awesome. Not everyone wants to talk about the ‘C’ word and I think this allows a really great interesting creative way where everybody can be inspired in different ways. Everyone’s story is different.”
Fleischer called art a language she can use to express herself.
“Art is this common language and when somebody comes in from a different context, or a different background, whether that be gender, race, culture, experience, ability, learning style, art can be utilized as a way to kind of bridge that gap where language lacks and where it doesn’t matter who you are or what your context is but you can show it visually,” Fleischer said.
Regarding Holl’s artwork, “So while yes, it’s sunshine and rainbows and glitter thrown at a canvas, it’s Tommy,” Fleischer said. “It’s his story.”
Mara Weiner of Deerfield, of the Deerfield High School Class of 2001, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020, worked with artist Susan Isaacson of Glencoe, creator of the archival pigment print, “Making Rainbows.”
“I talked a lot about my two little girls and how they were my inspiration for getting through all of the treatment,” Weiner said. “Their favorite colors are pink and blue and so Susan incorporated that.”
“Making Rainbows” has a focal point that can be interpreted as
a butterfly or angel wings to some viewers.
“You know what it is?” Isaacson said about “Making Rainbows.” “It’s the light in Mara’s eyes.”
Artist Mignon Dupepe of Wilmette collaborated with “Inspiration” Martine Derom of Oak Park on “A Sacred Path,” a collage mixed media landscape piece. Yellow and purple emanate as color complement opposites on the color wheel.
“There’s a lot of symbolism,” Dupepe said. “It’s been powerful for me.”
Derom’s husband and mother passed away from cancer.
Derom said, “She (Dupepe) was an inspiration to me. She listened.”
See the art at https://one.bidpal.net/brusheswithcancermidwest2024/browse/all(details:item/3).
Karie Angell Luc is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
