Healing Through Art: A Look Beyond Childhood Cancer
Healing Through Art: A Look Beyond Childhood Cancer
Exhibition Dates: September 3 – 27
Reception: September 6
Curator: Nimpa Akana
Please Support This Exhibition
Art can be a beacon of hope and healing, especially for children diagnosed with cancer.
This disease can be an overwhelming diagnosis for the entire family. Through this exhibition, the museum will present
Healing Through Art: A Look Beyond Childhood Cancer Exhibition in September
2025 to support September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The interactive exhibition will bring awareness about childhood cancer and
share insight from the perspective of a child.
According to the National Program of Cancer Registries, about 15,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year.
Artists from Joey’s Wings will create a majestic forest of 15,000 cranes which allows this
devasting 15,000 number to be seen and felt in a more impactful way. Each crane
represents a child being diagnosed with cancer. Beautiful and elegant cranes will hang
from the museum ceiling giving visitors a sense of awe and magnitude of the number of
children diagnosed each year.
The exhibition collaborates with artists and nonprofits to
display how childhood cancer is understood and perceived. Jose
Montano, Executive Director of the Jose Montano Foundation, says “Something good
needs to come out of his son’s death.”
We got this Angus Olsen
The BMCC is proud to present artwork from Angus Olsen, a former artist for Walt
Disney Television Animation. His cartoons depict many children facing cancer. Mr.
Olsen’s art reflects the children’s strength, beauty and character. His cartoons will also
educate visitors about cancer. Mr. Olsen will create a unique piece specifically for the
Bonita Museum exhibition tying in the cranes from Joey’s Wings.
Art therapy offers a holistic approach to healing, providing emotional, mental, and even
physical support to children with cancer. The Healing Power of Art from Rady
Children’s Hospital will display about 50 works of art from children battling cancer. For
patients, the Healing Arts Program provides joy and a distraction from the situation at
hand. Visitors will appreciate the perspectives of these brave children.
Local nonprofits who provide programs for children battling cancer will participate in the
exhibition. The Jose Montano Foundation display will provide an interactive rock
display in honor of Choncho’s (Jose) love for rocks and minerals called Choncho’s
Rocks of Hope. Each hand-decorated rock is added to one of the Healthy Snack Bags
as a symbol of moral support, love and strength for the recipient. Visitors may decorate
a rock with a special message which will be delivered to a child diagnosed with cancer.
Other nonprofits include the Scott Delgadillo Foundation which organizes private Prom
Nights for teenagers who missed their high school proms. Oncology And Kids (OAK) will
display their programs that help kids and families heal, especially their unique camps.
Dr. Reece Akana, who completed his undergraduate degree in Chemical and Physical
Biology from Harvard University and his PhD from Stanford University in Cancer Biology
will create a fun and informative display about cancer research.
Throughout September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the BMCC will offer
exciting healing workshops for visitors.
Volunteers will demonstrate how to make beautiful cranes and gold
ribbons. Messages to children could be written inside the cranes which will be added to
future crane exhibitions. Another workshop will explain the value of journaling.
Journaling can release stress for families as well as the child.
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 6. This FREE reception is open to all
visitors. Meet the artists and walk through the forest of cranes. Light refreshments will
be available.