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Understanding tribal communities and cancer through storytelling, art – Fred Hutch News Service

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Art, health and healing

Fernandes is helping Fred Hutch do that as the latest artist named in the Public Art & Community Dialogue Program.

Sponsored by the Fred Hutch Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Core, the program is a new initiative that provides an opportunity for artists, employees and the broader Washington state community to be in dialogue about solidarity and the pursuit of equity in research and health care.

The program’s first call was to Black artists across the Pacific Northwest, Uganda and South Africa, where Fred Hutch has established research programs. South African artist Mark Modimola was selected and a banner with his painting was installed on top of the Yale Building on the Fred Hutch campus on June 21, 2022.

Fernandes, chosen to represent Indigenous artists and communities, unveiled his artwork on campus on October 10, Indigenous Peoples Day; it replaced the banner with Modimola’s artwork. Future artwork will represent the Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Jewish and LGBTQ+ communities.

Fernandes’ artwork was done in a traditional coast Salish style, he said.

“I wanted to make sure there was cultural accuracy in the way it was done and presented,” he said. “Some elements of the art may be a split image, one side a mirror of the other side, kind of like life. There’s a duality to life, that idea of having a balance of one side reflecting the other.”

Inspiration for the piece was drawn from an online Storytelling Circle Fernandes led on August 23 with Fred Hutch employees and community members. Fernandes shared a traditional Klallam story involving a young boy known as “Slow One” (due to his inability to run) and the nearby Wolf People who helped him overcome this challenge. The story was followed by breakout groups and a larger group discussion regarding the story’s meaning.

A second Storytelling Circle featuring Fern Naomi Renville, Fernandes’ partner and a Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, Omaha and Seneca-Cayuga storyteller, was held September 14.

“Medicine in the form of stories is medicine from our ancestors,” Renville said during her presentation. “It’s literally power and strength and love from our ancestors in a form that’s impossible to quantify.”

And literacy, she went on, is actually a newly acquired human skill.

“Storytelling predates literacy and even language,” she said. “It’s an old, old form of communication that gets tapped into and it’s still how we communicate emotionally. Our mind says we don’t need stories anymore — we have science and facts — but your psyche still needs to make sense of life and experiences with a deeper story. And storytelling does something to us physically as listeners. It relaxes us as we listen. That’s healing and medicine.”

Fernandes said it’s essential that western medicine does not ignore the spiritual and emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis.

“When I saw this opportunity, it resonated with me as a storyteller,” he said. “Fighting disease is not just a decision your brain or body makes — you have to get your spirit and emotions ready to fight, as well. I wanted to share that perspective with others.”

Fernandes said he incorporated elements of the original story, as well as the discussion around it, into the artwork he created.

“I wanted to create art that included the little boy, the wolves, the invisible plants and the boy’s face after he’s transformed from scared and lonely boy to confident,” he said. “The art will help people recall the story. And then they can tell that story to other people.”

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com



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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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