Arts For Life Asheville2011 Chapter Report

2011 was a big year for Arts For Life! Ten years ago in 2001, Arts For Life began with one patient, one camera, and an unshakable belief in the healing power of art. Since that humble beginning, we have grown into a multi-chapter organization serving more than 5,000 young patients and family members each year at four hospitals throughout North Carolina.

Today, we celebrate Arts For Life’s mission of providing educational art programs that enrich patients’ lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families. We honor the young patients with whom we have been privileged to work, and draw inspiration everyday from their examples of creativity, imagination, and courage. And we thank you for your steadfast support and friendship to our community’s patients and families during the most challenging times of their lives.

Thank you for sharing this journey with Arts For Life. Here’s to the next 10 years! Shea GodwinExecutive Director

Arts For Life All Over Town!We now operate our programs in three locations in Asheville:

Zeis Cancer Clinic at the new SECU Cancer Center, where we serve children and families who come for outpatient checkups and procedures. • Waiting room art table • Internship Program • Bedside lessons in procedure rooms

Olson Huff Center for Child Development at Reuter Outpatient Center, where children come from all over the region for physical, speech, and occupation therapy as well as treatment for Autism, attention deficit, and developmental disorders. • Waiting room art table • Volunteer Program

Pediatric Inpatient Unit at Mission Hospital, where we teach art and music to children who must stay in the hospital - for one night or many months at a time. • Bedside art and music lessons • Volunteer & Internship Programs

In addition, Arts For Life leads support groups for children and families battling cancer and other serious illnesses. These support groups allow kids to make meaningful connections with other kids sharing a common experience.

Arts For LifeArts For Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people facing serious illnesses. By providing educational art programs, we enrich patients’ lives, nurture their minds and spirits, and encourage positive healthcare experiences for children and their families. Arts For Life serves children in four cities across North Carolina: Asheville, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, and Durham.

2011 Chapter report Spring 2012

Young artist Jordan and Program Director Annie

volunteers and interns in Asheville2011 was an eventful year for Arts For Life Asheville’s Volunteer and Internship Program. In the spring, Arts For Life Intern Anna Long, (the first intern ever to work in all three programming areas of Arts For Life Asheville) finished her internship, but not her service to AFL. She continues on as a paid part-time teacher in both the Olson Huff Center and the Zeis Pediatric Oncology clinic, thanks to support from the Janirve Foundation.

Also in the spring, Monica Malpeli joined us as volunteer in the Olson Huff Center. Monica pursued volunteering with Arts For Life after attending our 2010 Fancy Pants Dance. Her compassion and creativity have been a huge asset to our programming in the Huff Center. Longtime community volunteer Gil Calderwood made a leap in 2011, deciding to take a more hands-on role as a teaching volunteer in the Huff Center. Gil has always been a steadfast AFL go-to guy, and the kids love working with him each week.

Summertime in the Huff Center brings an influx of siblings and family members, the volume of which can be overwhelming, even for our experienced teachers. Erin Candelaria from Warren Wilson College stepped in and supplied the extra pair of hands at the art table each week as a summer intern. And, boy, did we need her! Finally, in the fall, Lauren Sealy moved hundreds of miles from sunny Florida just to participate in Arts For Life Asheville’s internship program. Lauren, who graduated in August from Ole Miss and is planning a future career in Art Therapy, is taking full advantage of the practical experience that an Arts For Life internship provides. We are lucky to have her!

In addition to these folks, several long-standing teaching volunteers continued their commitment to the excellent programming for which they have come to be known in 2011: Mimi Shackleford, Diane Hall, Ed Drane, Valerie Altman, Laura Elia, Kris Paradis, and Beth Semadeni.

The Arts For Life Team in Asheville

INTERNS Erin Candelaria

Terra Midgett

Lauren Sealy

TEACHINGVOLUNTEERS Valerie Poullette Altman

Gil Calderwood

Ed Drane

Laura Elia

Diane Hall

Monica Malpeli

Karen Paly

Kris Paradis

Mimi Shackelford

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Valerie Poullette Altman

Dr. Cindy Brown

Gil Calderwood

Peggy Drane

Brent Ford

Chris Pollak

Mary Timmer

STAFFShea Godwin

Executive Director

Annie RogersProgram Director

Rachel Zink Assistant Director

Snee HowardBookkeeper

Dawna Wade Administrative Assistant

MUSIC FELLOW Melissa Hyman

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Doug MichaelsChair

John DicksonTreasurer

Anne SessionsSecretary

Becky Anderson

Karen Fitzgerald

Deborah Goeken

Melandee Jones

Wes SuggARTIST FELLOW

Anna Reeser Long

VolunteerS and internS gaVe 2,237 hours of their time to afl’S kidS & familieS at miSSion hoSpital in 2011!Anna, Annie, Mimi, Diane, Ed, Shea, Laura & Andrea

Spotlight on: SydneyThere are children for whom art is a solo process; an artistic endeavor that’s internal and very personal. And then there are artists like 7-year-old Sydney, who see making art as a social process: a way of connecting with those around her. Since being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia last fall, Sydney has found a home at the Arts For Life art table, using art as a means of connecting with other kids like her. An outgoing child by nature, Sydney could easily be Arts For Life Asheville’s ambassador - she welcomes new patients to the table and always invites them to join in the art-making.

Sydney is not just a social butterfly; she is a true artist. She has a drawing style that is unique and irresistible, and each of her little drawings has a narrative. The back-stories she gives her characters draw you in, to the point that you find yourself utterly captivated by this unfolding magical world that is all Sydney’s own. A family of frogs goes to fly-catching school. The deer go to work at the at the antler factory. The boy animals wear backwards baseball caps and the girls wear big bows on their heads. Try, just try, not to be charmed by them; it’s impossible.

Sydney’s parents, Karen and Darrell, talk about Arts For Life: “When our daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia on October 27, 2011, we had no idea what would be ahead of us, but we knew it would be a long journey for Sydney and our family. Since her hospital stay, Arts For Life has been a blessing! Not only is it a distratcion during treatments, but it helps her to channel her creativity. She doesn’t dread her clinic visits like she did in the beginning. What an amazing program. Any cancer is hard on a child, but AFL makes that journey a little easier and a little less painful. Thank you so much for all you do each and every day; not only for our child, but all of the children in our community facing serious and chronic illnesses.”

Arts For Life at the NEW SECU Cancer CenterIt has been an endeavor many years in the making - the construction of the Mission Hospital SECU Cancer Center. Arts For Life was there every step of the way, looking at plans and giving input.

All that time and effort came to fruition in December 2011, as we made the move into the new Zeis Children’s Cancer Center. The result is a custom-designed space with five art tables, ample cabinets for storage, and even our very own sink! We’ve come a long way since the days of lugging supplies in Tupperware bins and teaching art in the corners of waiting rooms.

Image Credit: Mission Hospital

Arts For life By the numbersIn 2011, Arts For Life brought 5,062 hours of art, music, and creative writing to Western North Carolina’s children and families in need. That’s over 97 hours each week!

Our dedicated and creative team of staff, volunteers, and interns taught 9,053 individual lessons to 2,249 young patients, siblings, and family members. That’s more than 24 art lessons every single day of the year.

AFL’s new art tables at the SECU Cancer Center’s Zeis Children’s Cancer Center

Arts For Life Art Show!inSpired artwork from the Young artiStS

in artS for life’S programS

From top left, clockwise: “Dog,” by Katherine Grace, age 8; Finger-puppet bugs in the Huff Center; “Elvis,” by Hunter, age 12; Skyscraper print by Aviyah, age 10; Trinity, displaying her recycled art sculpture; Handprint by Elizabeth, age 12; “Loving (We Love Annie),” by Hannah, age 12

ARts For Life music fellow: MelissaOne year ago, we welcomed Music Fellow Melissa Hyman to the Arts For Life team. In 2011, Melissa brought over 600 guitar, percussion, and songwriting lessons to young patients and families on the Inpatient Unit of Mission Children’s Hospital. She travels from room to room with her cart of drums, shakers, and noisemakers, guitar slung across her shoulder, enticing even the most listless patient to perk up and make some music. Brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents join in the musical fun and create special memories while stretching their creative muscles.

“Music has always been about connections for me. I grew up in a musical family, and my fondest childhood memories are of my dad singing with me and my brother every night before bed, big family sing-alongs, and holiday parties where there were almost as many guitars as people. My work with AFL has been a natural extension of what made me

fall in love with music in the first place: the way it crosses boundaries, knits people together, unites many voices and experiences into one.” This year, Melissa crafted a special interactive musical coloring book for kids on the Inpatient Unit. Inspired by the song “Down By the Bay,” each page is made up of a silly line of lyrics dreamt up by kids singing along with Melissa.

Arts For Life provides six hours of music lessons to patients and family members each week. We have the Janirve Foundation and the North Carolina Arts Council to thank for making Arts For Life’s Music Fellowship Program possible in 2011.

This program was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council,a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

AFL’s tenth Anniversary

Portrait ProjectIn early 2011, the Program Directors from each chapter put their creative heads together and decided on a special portrait project, to which kids from all four chapters would contribute. Self-portraits are a favorite project among AFL patients, families, and teachers; they are a fun and insightful way to learn new artistic skills, express creativity, and tell personal stories.

Program Director Annie Rogers guided nine patients in creating 5”x5” portraits, which later were “quilted” onto a canvas to create a collaborative art piece. This special original artwork was auctioned off at the Fancy Pants Dance in November, with all the proceeds going to benefit our art programs at Mission. We thank all the young artists of AFL for contributing to this unique project!

spotlight on: (JAckson)On Monday mornings, when the Arts for Life table opens up for the day, 4-year-old Jackson is eagerly waiting. He always greets the volunteers by asking, “What are we doing today?” and jumps right into the project of the day. Jackson has enjoyed all of the art adventures that Arts for Life has provided since he has started coming to the Olson Huff Center in Asheville for his occupational and speech therapy. He spends all of his time before, after, and between appointments at the art table.

While there is no project that Jackson ever shies away from, his favorite crafts include building something out of Model Magic! From car figurines to animals, there is nothing that Jackson cannot mold. Jackson also loves making masks; he recently made one to look just like his favorite superhero - Batman! Jackson has become a regular at the Arts for Life table; with his enthusiasm and pure joy, we love to see him come back week after week!

This spotlight written by Lauren Sealy, AFL Intern

Did You Know?Our educational art programs:

• Utilize art stations, art teachers, and art lessons to transform and improve healthcare environments;

• Provide hospitalized and seriously ill children access to the arts and education;

• Help young patients and their families cope with short and long term effects of illness;

• Give patients opportunities to interact with peers (other patients and siblings);

• Foster patients’ imaginations, critical thinking skills, and creativity;

• Help patients to set and achieve goals;

• Guide patients in focusing on positive activities during waiting times and during stressful experiences;

• Provide positive educational experiences that add a sense of purpose and accomplishment to children’s lives.

new in 2011:

the arts for life k e e p s a k e c o l l e c t i o n

art prints

In 3 sizes, ready to frame!

notecards

keepsake.aflnc.orgSee the entire collection:

...and more!

Fancy Pants Dance!On November 4, Asheville party-goers were decked out in their Fanciest Pants to raise money for AFL Asheville’s programs. The Fancy Pants Dance at the Crowne Plaza Resort featured dinner, drinks, dancing to live music from Shop Talk, a Live and Silent Auction, a special 10-year anniversary video debut, and, of course, a Most Fanciful Pants contest!

“We were excited to share Arts For Life with members of the Asheville community, old friends and new,” says Arts For Life Executive Director Shea Godwin. “The Fancy Pants Dance was a fun, whimsical way to raise funds that support and enrich the minds, hearts, and spirits of thousands of young patients struggling with serious illnesses and disabilities. More than 100 community members came to see the kids’ artwork, hear the stories, and be part of bringing top-notch art and music programs to these special children and their families.”

The Fancy Pants Dance raised $23,000 for AFL’s educational art programs. The Dance was made possible with the support of the Gillette Martin Family Foundation, Shop Talk, Sir Speedy, Castle Rock Winery, the Wine Studio of Asheville, Darr Conradson, and many more.

Fanciest Pants Contest contenders; little Henry, bidding during the Live Auction; Anna Long

Our deepest appreciation goes to our friends at Mission Children’s Hospital. With the hospital’s support, Arts For Life works to bring peace, light, and laughter to young patients on their darkest days. We could not accomplish our work without the support of Dr. Orren Beaty, Dr. Krystal Bottom, Dr. Doug Scothorn, Dr. Susan Mims, Karen Grogan, David Stegall, Anne Bowers, Kim Delk, Miriam Scott, Karen Duncan, Tara Lynch and the exceptional Child Life Department, the Volunteer Leadership Committee, and the dedicated healthcare professionals at Mission Children’s Hospital.

We also recognize our most dedicated advocates in our friends, the Owen and Cecil families, the Janirve Foundation, Marie Gillette and Janet Martin, and the Fancy Pants Dance Committee.

To the People Who Made Our Work Possible In 2011

How You Can Help:

CONTACT arts for life!info@aflnc.org 828-658-1599

For more info on artS for life:

Scan with your Smartphone!

Thank You!

Make a donation to sustain our vital arts programmingHost a Coffee Talk or a House Party to share your support with friends

Volunteer at Mission, teaching art to young patientsOrganize a Cakes For Kids Bake Sale to benefit Arts For Life

Contact us today to find out about opportunities to get involved!

Martin-Gillette Family FoundationNorth Carolina Arts Councilarvato digital systemsShorewood OvationMontreat College Women’s Volleyball TeamThe Hop Ice Cream CafeCanvas Paint & MingleRebecca Manske & the Handmade Holidays Artists5th Graders at Carolina Day School

Grovewood GalleryHappy Body Pilates StudioHighwater ClaysSouthern Highland Craft GuildNew York Community TrustSt. Eugene’s ChurchTen Thousand VillagesThe Brown Family FoundationTiltworksWoman’s Civic Club of AshevilleBiltmore Lake Families

WLOS Craft CornerPlanet Art Frame Shop & Chair CaningBayada NursesSir SpeedyThe Wine Studio of AshevilleCastle Rock WinesFestiva Traveland many more...

Valerie Poullette & Stewart AltmanBecky AndersonDr. Krystal & David BottomKaren & Buster BrownGil & Joe CalderwoodDarr ConradsonJennifer DayJody & Caleb DeppJoan & John DicksonPeggy & Ed Drane

Irene EisenbergHedy FischerLynn & Steve ForbesElaine & Walter GreinerMonica MalpeliMyrt McNeelyDoug MichaelsMargaret NewellStewart Griffin & Ray O’NeillMr. & Mrs. Charles Owen, Jr.

Nancy & Chris PollakDr. Ben & Jeanne PowellCarolyn and Chuck RietzDr. Doug & Bonnie ScothornMimi ShackelfordJerrilyn SmithCynthia & Peter WalkerLeslie WhiteRosalind Willis & Greg Olsonand many more...

We send our heartfelt thanks to our friends:

and our community partners and sponsors: