When Words Are Not Enough, Make Art

story by Heather Page

It doesn’t take an artist to create art. Sometimes it takes emotion and a room full of support to enable the ability to bring life to a piece of paper or a mound of clay. Light conversations shared amongst peers while staring down the tip of a pencil has a way of curing, or at least softening daily stressors. Raquel Serrano, a McLeod Health Oncology Social Worker, helped start the Artful Expression Group, a program that encourages cancer patients and their caregivers to take a breather through the process of creating art during this season of life. And, boy, does it!

In addition to having a love for helping others, Raquel is also a breast cancer survivor. Her responsibilities at McLeod Health include identifying the needs of cancer patients and learning how she can assist them with those needs. In 2015, Raquel had an idea. The idea to surround individuals suffering similar feelings of depression or anxiety due to cancer around a table to create personal masterpieces. She shared her idea with the Florence Regional Arts Alliance and they were delighted to help fund the project. For five years, Raquel would meet monthly with a group of people she grew to love and respect for the journey they’d been given. However, in March 2020, due to the outbreak of Covid-19, the project was postponed indefinitely.

It took nearly three years but the Artful Expression Group for Cancer Patients and Caregivers is back and more colorful than ever! A reunion took place on January 17th at the Florence County Museum as previous attendees greeted one another while new members also found their seats around the table. Uschi Jeffcoat, Curator of Education and Community Outreach at the Florence County Museum, eagerly greeted the amateur artists as they joined the class. Uschi worked with Raquel through the Arts Alliance during the initial planning of the group in 2015 and was happy to assist in welcoming the program back to the Florence County Museum.

Before the class began their attempt at art, they shared praise reports and the journey they’d been on over the past three years while also giving hugs to their old friends. Some also spoke of newly diagnosed friends that could use extra prayers. It was a wholesome experience that could easily lift anyone’s spirits.

As stories came to a close, Raquel passed out the materials for the project, a Zentagle Method that is easy to learn and proven to calm anxiety. “We’ve used Zentagle projects in the past and it’s fascinating to see how we are all given the same task but come up with completely different pieces of art,” shares Raquel. There is no right or wrong in the method, each person just creates what feels good to them.

“I’m no artist,” says Linda Mallick, a breast cancer survivor who has been in remission for 11 years. “I’m the worse one in the class and have no artistic talent whatsoever; I can’t even draw a stick figure. It’s the camaraderie the class has, the fact that we have all experienced cancer in some form, and we’re here to support each other in this socalled journey. Raquel helps us express ourselves in ways I’ve never thought of. Yes, cancer comes up. Yes, we do talk about things. But it’s a give and take, a cry and laugh, and we meet somewhere in the middle.”

“Having cancer is a stressful life event, and symptoms of cancer are not limited to the physical,” Raquel explains. “Many of our cancer patients and caregivers are in distress and in need of additional psycho-social care and support.” The Artful Expression Group is in place to help with these needs.

Demetria McCutchen, a five-year cancer survivor, says this process is not only an excellent learning experience but also good therapy. “I just enjoy being able to sit amongst friends and make art,” she says.

The Artful Expression Group is for all genders suffering from any sort of cancer as well as their caregivers and anyone familiar with the strains cancer causes. Some members are in remission while others may have only recently been diagnosed. Its purpose is simply to engage cancer patients in integrative medicines to relieve stress and anxiety. “It’s very well documented that art is one of those ways that can be used to address some of those issues,” says Raquel.

The Artful Expression Group meets monthly at the Florence County Museum.

Their next meeting is February 21st, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., where they will dabble in Egyptian glue.

Future projects will also involve different mediums including drawing, mixed media, journaling, and scrapbooking to allow cancer patients to use creativity to express their emotions. In addition, the group facilitators are incorporating supportive themes with the art lesson each month such as fear of recurrence, body image, financial concerns, finding meaning, and sharing the individual’s journey.

Thanks to sponsorships by the McLeod Health Foundation, The Florence Regional Arts Alliance, and the Florence County Museum, there is no cost to attend the session and supplies are provided.

No art experience is necessary – your willingness to express yourself is all you will need.

Designed to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression

• Improve self-esteem and overall feelings of self-worth

• Increase social and communication activities

• Increase energy

For more information, please contact: Raquel Serrano (843) 777-5695

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH

6PM - 11PM

Dinner | Dancing | Cocktails

The Bean Market 111 Henry St., Lake City at

The Florence Chapter of Jack & Jill of America Inc. cordially invites you to celebrate an elegant evening of love with us as we host a charity event supporting The Jack & Jill of America Foundation and the Lake City Boys & Girls Club & Youth Technology Center. Dinner, dancing, and cocktails featuring jazz saxophonist Dante Lewis from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at The Bean Market, 111 Henry St., Lake City. Formal dress required. Tickets are $125 and are available on Eventbrite or by contacting flochapterfinancialsec@gmail.com.

ABOUT JACK & JILL

Founded in 1938, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is a membership organization for African American mothers of children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to raising the next generation of African American leaders while enhancing the lives of all children. We have more than 11,500 active members in 252 chapters across the country. With programming for the entire family, we engage mothers, fathers and children who come from predominantly married (85%), college educated (99%) households with a majority of families having incomes above $100K. The majority of our members are aged 40 to 49 years old (55%).

Located at 131 Calhoun St., the Lake City Club offer hours from 2 to 6 p.m. on school days. Beyond the standard mentoring, tutoring, games, STEM activities, and homework help, the Club holds Mr. Stormy Day on Wednesdays and offers a lending closet of ties and formal shirts. The Club sponsored 76 children for Christmas with clothes and gifts and handed out 96 turkeys this past Thanksgiving. For information, call (843) 374-3749 or visit www.bgcpda.org.