Unique Children’s Cancer Art Exhibit Visits Myrtle Beach
Next month and through June 2007, the Children's Museum of South Carolina becomes one of only five annual tour stops (and the only 2006-2007 tour stop outside of Texas) to host the Making A Mark annual art exhibit presented by the Periwinkle Foundation. This is a remarkable display featuring the works of young artists whose lives have been touched by cancer and blood disorders, and provides a unique focus on their personal issues.
Making A Mark draws more than 400 submissions each year from pediatric cancer treatment center patients and siblings worldwide, with more than 200 making the cut for the traveling exhibit. The Texas Children's Cancer Center highlights Childhood Cancer Awareness Month each September by showcasing the exhibit, then sending it off on its annual tour. Myrtle Beach is the second-to-last stop on Making A Mark's 2006-2007 tour before it returns to Texas in July.
This is a touching, one-of-a-kind opportunity to educate your kids, and yourselves, on the impact of childhood cancer on the lives of families - as seen through the eyes and truly unique artistic expressions of those who live the experience every day. You can visit this online gallery to view the "Blue Ribbon" submissions currently on tour.
Having worked with a children's charity for years that helps kids with cancer and other life-threatening medical conditions, I can tell you first-hand the kind of impact this type of art has on people. For years, the charity has asked its recipients to submit artistic expressions of how the organization's services have affected their lives. The art is then used for a variety of donor and volunteer recognition awards throughout the year.
I visited the office of one high-profile donor not long ago, a man well-known for his philanthropic efforts on behalf of several charitable causes. It had the kind of classic mahogany décor that made the piece of children's art perched on the shelf behind the desk really stand out. It was part of an award our charity had given the donor the year prior, one of the many awards he had received from non-profit organizations over the years, but the only one on display in his office.
When I asked the significance of the piece, his response was simple but emotional. "Of all the art I own, it's the only piece that really moves me," he said. "It reminds me how lucky I am every day, and to thank God every day for it."
we’ve seen lots of this work through friends active with Make A Wish and St. Judes, and its very touching. this is the kind of exhibit that’s definitely worth taking the whole family to see.
No doubt. Aside from this exhibit, the Childrens Museum is a great place to take the kids for a few hours, and its cheap!