The Springfield Art Museum (SAM) offers many opportunities for children to explore art, yet what transpired this summer was far beyond the expectation of an art camp and continues to impact lives. The museum has a newly acquired partnership, housing flyers for Discovery Arts, which brings awareness to the community about the healing power of art. The Bayazed family understands this all too well. Cidra Bayazed, age nine, and her little sister Talia, age six, stood apart from the other children, with a story to tell. To look at them, you would think it was for their long, flowing, gently braided hair. To know them, was to see it was for their beauty and courage within. They attended Wilder Elementary School and took art classes together at the museum. This time, Cidra would come alone. Talia passed away last December after a three year illness. When their mother, Shyma Bayazed, was asked what she wanted people to know about her daughters, she said, “Talia was brave. She would fall down. She wouldn’t cry. She would just get up.” As Talia’s illness progressed, her legs became weak and it was hard for her to walk. Cidra, the oldest of three girls, would take her by the hand, help her up and walk patiently with her. Cidra readily accepted the role of big sister, to all the children ages kindergarten through second grade, at the Fairies, Mermaids and Wishing Fountains art camp. The children were invited into the courtyard Art Garden, newly landscaped by Friends of the Springfield Art Museum (FOSAM). Upon entrance, they were captivated by the anticipation of fairies, stepping into the enchanting world of imagination, creativity and self-expression. It was here, that they would experience fanciful glitter art, ribbon dance, bubbles and cloud watching amidst nature Lessons were enhanced and children were entertained by special guests. Anne Cox taught them yoga postures, followed by Dr. Sharon Jackson, from Power of the Mind, who guided them in a fairyland meditation. Provost, Dr. Chris Craig, and Professor Karen Engler, both at MSU, used music and storytelling, to shed a light on sensory awareness of the visually and hearing impaired, who must communicate through Braille and Sign Language. If you believe, magic is real! Cidra at Fairies, Mermaids and Wishing Fountains Art Camp, Summer 2013 The culminating event, a musical concert performed by Dr. Jeremy Chesman, from Conservatory of the Ozarks, was most memorable. The attire was formal and wings were welcomed, as 14 lovely garden and sea princesses and one magical wizard came to listen and soon fell under the spell of the harp. To close the day, the children were given a penny to make a wish and toss in the fountain. Cidra shared the wish from her journal. “I am making this wish for my favorite sister that is in heaven. I wish you everything of happiness, love and kisses. I love you.” This is just one of many stories to tell. As a teacher at the Springfield Art Museum and the coordinator for Discovery Arts at Mercy Children’s Hospital, I have the rare privilege to interchange museum and hospital art experiences to touch children’s lives. Jill Norton, in a Mercy ministry called Harps for the Heart, created a transcending ambiance on the Pediatrics floor. The music soothed a crying baby, who spent his first 4 months of life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Jill also honored a grandmother’s wish to play Amazing Grace. The song she sang to her grandchildren was played for the family’s loved one in her last hours of Hospice. Discovery Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving 6 hospitals in California for 20 years. Mercy Children’s Hospital, in Springfield, MO, is the first hospital in the Midwest to be given the opportunity to experience the Discovery Arts program. “Our mission is to bring art, music, dance and drama to children with cancer, serious blood disorders and life threatening illness while they are receiving treatment.” For many, their greatest wish is normalcy. Be a part of the promise that hospitalized children will be provided with all the creative and normalization opportunities as their “well” peers. Give generously to increase the quality of life for these children. To donate go to: http://www.discoveryarts.org/make-a-donation.html In loving memory of Talia Bayazed. You will never be forgotten. ~ Janel Alicia
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Families, caregivers, charities and research groups across the United States observe September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. In the U.S., almost 13,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with cancer every year; approximately 1/4 of them will not survive the disease. A diagnosis turns the lives of the entire family upside down. The objective of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is to put a spotlight on the types of cancer that largely affect children, survivorship issues, and - importantly - to help raise funds for research and family support. At Discovery Arts we bring the healing power of the arts to children with cancer, serious blood disorders and life threatening illness while they are in the hospital receiving treatment. Our “Arts Adventures” bring a tremendous amount of joy to the children and their families. These very sick children all share one wish.... "to be normal". Anything we can do to make their journey a little easier or a little brighter is our greatest wish. All of our programs are offered free of charge to the hospitals, patients and their families. With support from corporations and private foundations, a committed circle of private donors, art supply manufacturers and an enthusiastic corps of volunteers, Discovery Arts now provides Arts Adventures programs to more than 3,500 critically ill children each year. If you have a calling to get involved please join us this month for our 30-30 Challenge, see the details here: http://www.discoveryarts.org/currently-playing.html We are honored to serve these wonderful children and their families each and every week and all year long. September is "National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month". In an effort to spread the word about Childhood Cancer and to support children who are suffering ... Step up and take the 30-30 Challenge!! For as little as $1.00 a day, you can make a difference!! Donate $30.00 to Discovery Arts during the 30 days of September . Become a * Team Leader!! Collect donations from your family, friends, clients, associates, or place of business and you will be eligible to win 4 Days and 3 Nights at Lagonita Lodge in Big Bear, California! Visit our Event Page on Facebook and invite friends to join you in your effort to help children with cancer. You can donate online right here in a secure environment.
Earlier this month, 35 Edwards Lifesciences employees volunteered part of their day to decorate Bedside Adventure Kits for the children of Discovery Arts, as part of their ongoing "Strengthen Our Community” outreach program. Obviously there are a lot of talented and passionate artists at the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. They donated enough art supplies, then decorated and filled more than 50 kits. The entire cast and crew of Discovery Arts would like to extend a Warm Heartfelt Thank You to all of the Employees of Edwards Lifesciences who got creative for Discovery Arts ... You have brought joy into the life of a child. We hope you had fun! Edwards Lifesciences' volunteers for this project included: John Bain, Nancy Boyd, Joyce Casella, Nicole Casella, Ginna Cuervo, Hang Dinh, Jessica Donovan, Kristy Faciane, Leslie Finney, April Frantzen, Diana Gonzalez, Nanette Henderson, Elsa Ibarbol, Priti Jhaveri, Jade Jourdan, Becky Kibbey, Laura Kibbey, Ric Kolibar, Frances Luong, Patrice Norton, Nicole Pascua, Jayshri Patel, Sharidan Railsback, Ashkan Rasooli, Bonnie Robinson, Karrie Rodriguez, Yolanda Saldana, Steve Shin, Taylor Strand, Andy Spilsbury Walker, Brian Williamson, Gayle Wills, and Amanda Zotinca. ... is the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company partners with clinicians to develop innovative technologies in the areas of structural heart disease and critical care monitoring that enable them to save and enhance lives. Edwards Lifesciences partners with physicians to innovate products designed to help patients live longer, healthier and more productive lives. Since developing the first heart valve in 1958, they have continued to meaningfully advance heart valve therapy and, more than 50 years later, remain the global leader in this field. In addition they also lead the development of new investigative technologies designed for the non-surgical replacement of heart valves. Our daughter was diagnosed with an adult-form of leukemia when she was 22 mos old. We had a 3 yr old daughter at the time to care for as well. The volunteers at Discovery Arts brought a lot of joy into our month-long hospital stays (for over 6 months!)...coming every Thursday with costumes, face paint, craft projects, music and big, bright smiles!! Jillian would dance and sing and play her little heart out, making everyone forget about her cancer for a little while. My other daughter was treated so special each time she would enter the playroom with Jillian. One day, Both if the girls were given brand new tap shoes because they showed an interest in them...they still have them (5 years later)! Jillian's closet was FULL of dress up outfits from the time she spent with Discovery Arts...so many projects and photos adorn my house--reminders of the positives of living in the hospital. The love Discovery Arts volunteers give freely and enthusiastically to children with cancer and their families is beyond measure!!! ~ Michelle, Jillian's Mom Thank you Michelle for the heartwarming review on Great Non-profits. We all love Jillian and her sister too! We hope Jilly is happy and very very healthy. From the cast and crew at Discovery Arts. Spent December of 2003 in Miller Children's hospital when my son had his 1st brain tumor surgery. Every day was physical therapy and occupational therapy and speech therapy, mandatory school work, nasty medications, needle pokes and IV woes - and most days Yay! a fun Discovery Arts project appropriate to a 5 year old with limited fine motor skills. Ten years out we still put on the Christmas hats he made, his art decorates our tree and we are reminded that we often had a ball in the middle of all that trauma. For a few years Miller Children's was almost a second home. Discovery Arts was a vital part of making hospital stays positive, happy experiences. One of my most precious possessions is tiny sculpture of our family made by another patient in for his chemo. My son is well and happy now - thanks to the great care he got at Miller Children's hospital and thanks to the wonderful art therapy of Discovery Arts. ~ Bobby's Mom Thank you Bobby's Mom for your heart touching review on Great Non Profits ... From the cast and crew of Discovery Arts! Sharing inspiration from one of our special Partners, Jeff Hughes of The Huestudio + Company8/14/2013
Photo © Maggie Rife Ponce
It's simple why I love Discovery Arts! I became intrigued and fascinated with this special organization all from a sweet, yet magical voice in the dark! Sitting in a blackened theatre in downtown Chicago, just prior to the start of Peter Pan, the voice of the talented Cathy Rigby McCoy instructed and informed excited children of all ages of the standard rules and regulations of the performance. The child-like voice in the dark included specifics of how to exit the theatre safely and the restrictions of photography, phone etiquette, etc. However, what was captivating was the announcement that Peter Pan would be available after the performance to sign autographs and posters to directly benefit Discovery Arts! If Peter Pan loved and supported Discovery Arts, we knew the organization was special and we had to be a part of it. And so it began… One of our favorite quotes by Marcel Proust states ... While the core business of The Huestudio + Company is to create experiences + events that are memorable, innovative and magically joyful, many clients and friends of The Huestudio + Company encounter and face difficult situations that are devastating, traumatic and life-altering. Some have children that are in varied situations, similar to the ill children that Discovery Arts serves. We listen to their voices and their stories intently, and in appreciation and in honor of our clients and friends, we searched for distinctive USA-made products that would align to and directly support organizations that make a difference in our world while giving back.
Our seven (7) offerings spotlighting Discovery Arts are just the beginning and we look forward to presenting more as we expand our offerings through The Shops at The Huestudio + Company. In alignment with Discovery Art's wish, our greatest wish is to present items and offerings to lift the spirit and make people's journey's a little easier and a lot brighter. One of our favorite quotes by Marcel Proust states, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." View the possibilities of supporting Discovery Arts, just like we did at The Huestudio + Company, and see the benefits through the lens of children; children who are inspired, have fun through Arts Adventures, dream their dreams, and heal their souls from an experience by Discovery Arts! Give today at www.discoveryarts.org and shop today at www.thehuestudio.com/shop. You'll be glad you did! xoxo Jeff Hughes Founding Partner, Chief Creative Officer & Principal Designer The Huestudio + Company Mount Prospect, Illinois Through the eyes and heart of a Discovery Arts Volunteer Stephanie Sabins shares her story with us.8/14/2013 I made my way through the hallways of Miller Children’s Hospital, Long Beach. My crutches made my migration slow and awkward but I found the blue door, as instructed. I opened it rather clumsily because my foot was broken and I was greeted by a woman in a tutu and a wig who smiled, raised her hands and said, “You must be Stephanie! Welcome to Discovery Arts!” I had arrived at one of the inpatient playrooms, where all the children were wearing costumes and I was about to start my first day as a volunteer for Discovery Arts. "What I witnessed on that first day made me fall in love with healing people through art. " Discovery Arts is a non-profit organization that brings the arts to children during their stay in the hospital, some of whom are battling life-threatening diseases. My love for creating art, facilitating art, and helping people was what drew me to this organization in the first place. I tucked my crutches in the corner of the room, put on an apron and asked how I could help. The children had already started that day’s project, which included painting picture frames and taking Polaroid’s of each of them in their costumes. I sat down to a table full of children and a few parents, diligently working. Some children had IV poles and some had bald heads. What really mattered, though, was that their faces were lit up with excitement about their new costumes and the fresh coat of paint on their wooden frames. Their smiles transcended the harsh reality of their hospital setting. This was a normal Thursday in the playroom when Discovery Arts was present. What I witnessed on that first day made me fall in love with healing people through art. My heart warmed at the sight of those children enjoying their time and relishing just being kids, despite their desperate situations. This is when I absolutely knew that my future lay in Expressive Arts Therapy. I want to help children heal and express themselves through art and music. Every Thursday after that experience you could find me decked out in a tutu and tiara, singing and dancing along with the kids. ~ Stephanie Sabins ... as a child dances into hearts at the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center Discovery Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serving 6 hospitals in California for 20 years. Mercy Children’s Hospital, in Springfield, MO, is the first hospital in the Midwest to be given the opportunity to experience Discovery Arts. The program has been at Mercy for nearly three years and just recently, I became the coordinator. “Our mission is to bring art, music, dance and drama to children with cancer, serious blood disorders and life threatening illness while they are receiving treatment.” For many, their greatest wish is normalcy. Today was a day to remember. I would reach beyond the comfort I had found bringing Discovery Arts to the children hospitalized on the Pediatrics floor, by introducing myself and the program to the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, a St. Jude Affiliate Clinic, at Mercy Children’s Hospital - Springfield. The walk down the hall was long in anticipation of all the new children. Emotions were evoked as images came to mind. I took a deep breath and opened the door to the new facility, pleasantly allured by colorful paintings and photographs, displayed with museum style and lighting. I met a child, who instantly captured my heart. Today was her fifth birthday. She had a purple and white cake to celebrate. She wanted to see what gifts I brought for her and was ready to participate. I put on a CD of song birds to lead into the nature theme. She curiously looked around the room for birds. My artistic task was face painting. At first, it seemed to be too tickly, but she pointed to her foot. I painted a butterfly. She pointed to her other foot. I painted a heart. As I brought out costumes, she pointed to and put on the green fairy skirt and the matching headband with pink flowers. I handed her a silver, sparkly wand. First she touched mommy with the wand. It was heartwarming. She quickly learned that the wand was magical and we were all under her spell, as she touched Child Life Specialists, Suzanne Cook, followed by Kristi Donovan and made them twirl. Of course I had a turn, as did the medical staff, whose watchful eyes peeked in because there was a party going on! She had to be disconnected from her IV, as she got up from her pillows and climbed down to twirl on the floor. She had just seen the movie Happy Feet, which explained her barefoot dance to the music she seemed to hear in her mind, though the room was silent. I stood in the middle of a cancer center, with chills of an awakening perspective. I was in the presence of a precious, whimsical child, dressed up like a fairy princess with a smile that lit up the room, dancing freely across the floor in complete and total bliss. For a moment, she was able to forget about the lengthy treatments she was receiving. It was her birthday! She had a cake, a costume and was surrounded by love. For a moment, that was all that mattered. Yes, today was a day to remember. Be a part of the promise that hospitalized children will be provided with all the creative and normalization opportunities as their “well” peers. Give generously to increase the quality of life for these children. How you can help! ~ Janel Alicia We are celebrating with Jilly and her family and friends for a very special day on Sunday June 2, 2013. It's as good as another birthday ... We are so happy to share this special day with her as she has been Cancer Free for 5 Years! Jilly was a patient who we got to know very well during her stays in the hospital and we couldn't be any prouder to hear the good news! "She LOVES Peter Pan and was one of our patients who we sponsored to go see Cathy Rigby at our Peter Pan Event! As part of her 5 year cancer free party they are doing Bedside Adventure Kits to help the other kids in the hospital... Love does wonderful things doesn't it? Precious precious girl!", says Discovery Arts' Executive Director Marilyn Clements. Congratulations Jilly ... from the entire Cast and Crew at Discovery Arts. We all Love You!!! |
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Bringing the healing power of the arts to children who are in the hospital undergoing treatment for cancer or life-threatening illness. Archives
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