Paring Arts & Wellness: The Inaugural Brushes With Cancer Program

Since February 2024, each of the 18 inspirations selected for the inaugural program in Miami has been working with one of 18 visual artists, with whom they have been strategically paired. As the inspirations share their twist on cancer – stories, feelings and experiences, the artists create a unique work of art that represents the inspiration’s personal journey with the disease. The inaugural edition of the Arsht Center’s Brushes with Cancer program culminates on Thursday, September 12 with a celebration and art viewing at the Arsht Center. The art viewing is curated by Rosie Gordon-Wallace, Arts Advocate and Founder of Miami’s Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator.

All of Miami is invited to join the artists, inspirations and their family and friends to view the finished works. The unique art pieces will be auctioned to support future editions of Brushes with Cancer at the Arsht Center.

The Brushes with Cancer art viewing and silent auction takes place on September 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Arsht Center. The event is free and open to the public. Guests should RSVP online at: https://www.arshtcenter.org/brusheswithcancer. Following the September 12th event, the public can continue to enjoy the art through mid-October any time they visit the Arsht Center for performances and other events, or during any of the free guided Arsht Center tours every Monday and Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

The art will also be on view at an online gallery at: https://www.arshtcenter.org/ and any pieces remaining after the silent auction will be available for purchase.

The 2024 artists and inspirations are diverse in background, age and lifestyle. Some artists are cancer survivors themselves, while some inspirations have been touched by cancer as caregivers or through a family history of cancer (previvors). Many of them call South Florida home. Photos of select artists and inspirations can be viewed and downloaded here.

“The arts are therapeutic and a vital tool for community wellness, which is why the Arsht Center has committed to providing life-affirming creative outlets for all ages in our community. This new program provides opportunities for healing and deep emotional connection – all through the shared experience of making art,” said Jairo Ontiveros, Vice President and Dorothea Green Chair of Education and Community Engagement at the Arsht Center.

The Arsht Center’s Brushes with Cancer is presented in partnership Twist Out Cancer, a nationwide non-profit organization that utilizes the creative arts to provide social and emotional support to individuals touched by cancer. More information is available at: www.twistoutcancer.org

THE ARSHT CENTER’S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Brushes with Cancer is one of the 10 ongoing Arsht Center programs committed to community engagement and deepening the experience of the performing arts for all Miami-Dade County residents. Having served more than 120,000 people throughout its 17-year history, the programs broaden community participation and open the sights, sounds and possibilities of the world through the performing arts. Programs include: Art + Mind Day, an annual free festival that connect mind, body and soul through the arts; Broadway on Biscayne, free interactive pre- and post-show experiences connecting audiences more deeply with each show; Family Fest, a season of free performances featuring the world's leading family-friendly artists; Heritage Fest, an annual all-ages festival celebrating Black heritage; a Juneteenth Juke Joint party; AileyCamp Miami, a full-scholarship, six-week summer camp which uses dance as a vehicle for the personal development of young people; CommuniTea Dance, an annual celebration honoring Miami's LGBTQ+ Community; Knight Masterworks Classical Conversations, a series of free lectures which give the audience insight into the musicians, composers and history of music presented in our Knight Masterworks Classical Music series; Arsht on the Road, a series of free pop-up performances that bring the arts into Miami-Dade County's diverse neighborhoods; and programs that marry arts and wellness, such as Accessing the Arts Residencies, art workshops for children and adults with disabilities; and various others.

*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply.

Visit: www.arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information.