Meet the "Empowering Women" artists - 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5
There are a few things that Grand Rapids resident Linda Griggs, a breast cancer survivor, wishes she'd known when she was first diagnosed. Like to expect drastic mood swings, or to hold on to the belief that something positive can come out of something as horrible as cancer. Now cancer free for 10 years, Griggs has put together a Breast Cancer Survivor Kit to pass those tips on to women who are struggling with the disease.
In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Breast Cancer Survivor Kit along with artwork by Griggs and fellow artist Karen Godfrey will be on display at Grand Valley's Women's Center from Tuesday through noon Friday, Oct. 5-8. The kit is also available for purchase.
The exhibit, "Empowering Women," begins on Tuesday with a reception hosted by the two artists from 4-6 p.m. The GVSU Women's Center is located in room 161 of the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus. The reception is free and open to the public. Call 616-331-2748 for more information.
At the opening reception, both women will speak about how art has become a healing force in their own lives and the lives of women they know. There will be about 30 pieces of art on exhibit. The Breast Cancer Survivor Kits include Griggs' book, "Scenes from a Hero Quest: Chronicle of a Breast Cancer Survivor," in which she describes how meaning can be found in the cancer experience despite the obvious hardships. "Hero quest" refers to a term used by mythologist and author Joseph Campbell.
"It's not the end of the world when these seemingly bad things happen to you," said Griggs. "As hard as it is at the time, the seeds of something positive are being planted."
Also included in the kits are guides and workbooks, "passports to the underworld" with which survivors can mark significant moments (good or bad) in their journey to health, a few fun signs (Caution: Wide Mood Swings), and instructions on how to create a healing shrine, such as those Griggs has on exhibit at the Women's Center.
Karen Godfrey's artwork in the show reflects her work with cancer patients. An art therapist with a MSW degree from GVSU, Godfrey holds a 24-week support group for women with cancer. The meetings are held in her art gallery, Art Beat, located off Monroe Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids. Her work in the show consists mainly of oil paintings and collages.