“Words can be limiting. Art opens up a whole new level of expression,” explains Carissa Hodgson, Gilda’s Club Program Manager. Because of this, Gilda’s Club is launching a CUREative Art & Writing Contest for Teens. The contest is open to any teen (ages 13-19) touched by cancer. It’s open to any type of art.
“The aim is to engage teens in a creative expression of their cancer experience,” explains Carissa. After receiving feedback from parents that their teens are feeling “screened out,” program staff looked for new ways to pivot programming. For some teens, the contest may be their first opportunity to interact with others who share similar experiences.
Leading up to the contest, Gilda’s will host a series of workshops for teens via Zoom on subjects like Creative Self Care, Writing to Heal, and 3D Expressive Art. These workshops will “prime the pump for creativity,” Carissa explains.
The submissions will go before a panel of judges, and prizes will be awarded. All submissions will be exhibited as part of the Gilda’s Club Art Show from Monday, April 19th to Sunday, April 25th at the Goodman Community Center in Madison. The exhibit is open to the public and can be viewed safely outdoors through the windows. A digital art book will also be posted on our website.
More information about the contest can be found at gildasclubmadison.org/cureative2021. Are you interested in supporting arts programming at Gilda’s Club? Please contact Lindsey Dalton at lindsey@gildasclubmadison.org for more information.