Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ)

CSCAZ is dedicated to ensuring all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.  Our programs are offered free to adults, youth, teens, families, and caregivers impacted by cancer.  We are located at 914 N. San Francisco Street in Flagstaff, AZ.

From Darkness to Light is an exhibit shared to inspire and empower those going through a cancer journey.  It features radiation masks that cancer patients wore during radiation treatment turned into works of art accompanied by the story provided by the patient and/or the artist. It is a provocative and moving exhibit.

Untitled by Kim Russum

While I lost my grandmother and aunt to cancer, I have never experienced the hardships of cancer or its treatment. I cannot begin to understand the weight of a diagnosis, or the enduring battle that follows.
The mask I received was a full bust from an anonymous donor. I started this project with an entirely different direction and didn’t change to its current course until I was working from behind the mask and looked through it. What this perspective did do was make me acknowledge that this mask, however anonymous, was a part of another human’s very real journey. It immediately reminded me of a cocoon, something that protects what is truly important - the person who is undoubtedly evolving inside. I chose to transition from wire detailing to realism to illustrate that change and growth is not linear and does not happen all at once. The holes in the mask are where there were radiation markers in place. They’re meant to portray both the opening of a chrysalis and windows into which light may both metaphorically and literally pour in.

Seeing Hope by Rylee Holloway

The main idea behind this mask was that even through the darkest times, we can still choose to see hope. I chose to make the background very chaotic and I chose to use dull colors because it is meant to signify the hardships and difficulties that the person who had to use this mask faced. I used gold over the eyes to portray the idea of “seeing hope” and trying to be optimistic in even the hardest times.

Colors of Hope by Marian Armstrong

Colors of Hope you or someone you know has cancer, you may be aware of the many colored ribbons associated with the disease. The one I was most familiar with was the pink ribbon, for breast cancer awareness. When I got involved with Cancer Support Community Arizona in Flagstaff, they educated me on the many colors used for all types of cancer. In this project, I wanted to use a kaleidoscope of colors on the radiation mask to represent SUPPORT for more research finding, AWARENESS for early detection, and HOPE for future cures for all types of cancer.

Stronger by D.L. Zartnery in collaboration with D.A.G. Stearns

I have never had cancer that required treatment with a radiation mask, like the one in this sculpture. However, as a survivor of thyroid cancer, I know something of the transformative experience of diagnosis and treatment. There is a you before cancer and a you after cancer, and the path between is often paved with fear and frustration and whole lot of “why me?”. Still, if I am not the exact same person I was before I sported an 8” scar on my neck, I do know my own fight in a way I never did. I was broken, but I healed, and I am stronger.

In my artwork, I represent some of this experience. There is an intentional severity to the aesthetic, with spiked metal extending through the mask. Nonetheless, there is also gentle growth as some pieces curve into lively organic forms. The forged branch around the neck is personally significant since it suggests the surgical scar from my own cancer treatment. Looking through the facial opening of the mask, you can see your reflection, fragmented but undeniably you (and perhaps even stronger).

Best Wishes by Olga Tsoudis

This art piece is dedicated to my brother who passed away from stomach cancer at the age of 48, and special thoughts and dedication for the anonymous patient who wore this mask. The messages on the radiation mask are connected to our Greek culture, my brother’s life in New York City and Washington D.C., as well as his commitment to our parents. The knitted red rose was created by our mother and the watch belonged to our father. My mother has been knitting more and more for her mental health since his passing. My father passed away the year before him. His watch represents time - the time we hope for in our lives before and after a cancer diagnosis. My brother coped with his diagnosis by hoping for time for another trip to Greece. There are various items on the mask that belonged to my brother himself - fabric from his shirts and suits, a piece of a leather wallet, and his linen handkerchiefs. Several of the supplies were purchased in Greece in the town where my mother currently lives - the ribbons and the evil eyes. I chose the evil eye to be included as a symbol of protection in Greek culture. The Greek stamps and some coins have the theme of Greek mythology. The wooden crafts have Greek words of best wishes, love, hope, and happiness - something we all focus on during a time of illness.

Harvest Warrior by Kathy Colova

On the opening night for a show called “Masked” at First Studio in downtown Phoenix it was the first time I ever saw a radiation mask transformed into art. I knew that one day I would create one of those masks. Earlier that same day, Elaine received her diagnosis.
October, 2020 I finally had the opportunity to meet up with the Expressive Arts Coordinator to choose the mask I would transform. I was immediately struck by the similarities. We are the same age. We both love the fall and Halloween. October is our favorite month. We both understand that our love and light is our strength and shining it as bright and wide as possible is what we are here to do.

As I continued to listen to her story, I closed my eyes and this “Harvest Warrior” emerged from the invisible. The shining gold mask bursting with color and life all around floated into my mind like a message from an Ancestral Spirit and it took my breath away.
When the questionnaire got to the part that asked how it felt to have her radiation mask made, Elaine answered that it “was like preparing for battle”...she said... “My mask is my warrior wear”. So, I created this piece to reflect the rich abundance, striking beauty and unwavering strength of life, harvest, and this incredible warrior of a human.

The Sand Rose by Joy Kocherbeck

A Sand Rose (or Desert Rose) is the colloquial name given to rose-like formations of crystal clusters of gypsum that include abundant grains of sand that occur in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the world. The ‘petals’ are crystals flattened on the axis, fanning open in radiating flattened crystal clusters.

The crown of this mask symbolizes these wonders of nature special to Sandi who lived in Saudi Arabia for a time. Sandi’s cancer traveled down from the right side of her head, so the fabric represents a covering of protection. A fear of not being able to speak or sing experienced during radiation treatments was overcome and Sandi is speaking and singing again and helping others through their journey as a Clinical Psychologist and board member of Cancer Support Community Arizona.

Zen by Giai Tat

It’s been an honor to be asked to embellish this radiation mask for Cancer Support Community Arizona. Art therapy is real... for anyone... it doesn’t matter the age, whether you are a man or woman, of any race, or situation... It just makes everything better! The mask I was given was anonymously donated. It bore three stickers or radiation points where the therapy was delivered. I showcased those same points by drawing three large stars over her beautiful face. I assume this mask belonged to a female given the high cheekbones. The doodle art is called Zentangle. One enters a Zen-like state when doodling. That’s the way I like to think of it. Of course, nothing is complete without some sassy flowers. I don’t know personally how it feels to go through radiation treatment, but I hope I made something beautiful out of the mask.

Flowers, Yarn & Kindness-in Memory of my Mother, Anastasia by Olga Tsoudis

My mother was not feeling well over the holidays when I was visiting her in Greece in December 2022. I was still there visiting when she went to the hospital. My mother was diagnosed with stomach cancer with a metastasis to the liver. We went home and she passed away three weeks letter at the age of 82. This was exactly what happened to my brother 5 years ago when he was 48 years old except that my brother was in ICU and passed away in the hospital three weeks from diagnosis.

I created an art piece from a radiation mask in memory of my brother last year. This mask not only focuses on my mother, but also on myself. When you have two family members pass away from the same exact cancer, you now have a fear and a constant thought occupying you each day. That is why I have included photos of myself as a child as well as part of my brother’s tie along with her items. I am now connected to this cancer through thoughts, continuous endoscopies, and trying different methods to take care of my physical and mental health.

My mother lost her husband in 2017 and then my brother passed away in 2018 at the age of 48 from stomach cancer. My mother lived in Greece during this time. In order to survive each day, she created a knitting and gardening world for herself. From the moment the morning arrived until the evening when she watched her Greek soap operas, she knitted all sorts of items from sweaters, scarves, hats, booties, Greek evil eyes, pillows, towels, little flower pots, pomegranates, and flower wreaths. She knitted and knitted to get through the portal of mental health. It kept her mind off the tragedy, sadness, anger, and depression. She then handed out these knitted items to her family, friends, and neighbors. Her work was creative and exceptional. It brought joy for others and that brought joy to her. When she passed away in February 2023, every person in her town in Greece had multiple items of her work and they talked about how she left something behind for each of them to remember her. Even my friends here in the United States have several of her knitted items. The items used for this art piece are from her knitting supplies- the knitting needles, crocheted flowers, and yarn. The blue yarn is from the last sweater she made for me before she became ill. She also sewed from when she was 14 years old. I included items such as her ribbons, dress pattern paper, and buttons.

In addition, she enjoyed her jewelry and having detailed embroidery in the house. I have included her earrings and doilies to celebrate her passion for appearance in the home and outside of the home. Our Greek culture is included through religious items, the Greek evil eye, and beach rocks. Her love for the United States, specifically her many immigrant years, is included with the peace sign and a little New York cab trinket.
I have thought long and hard about her goals in life. One of her friends told me that her goal was to raise two children as kind community members. To honor that goal, I included our diaper pins that she kept for over 50 years-one blue, one pink. The little flowers on her face are flowers she had bought me for me a few years ago to use anyway I wanted. I didn’t know what to use them for until now.

Healing the Wounded Goddess by Fredrika Hall

Medium, Rio De Flag Willow, Wild Grape Vines, Used and Discarded Objects, River Willow, Twisted Willow, Golden Scarlet Curls of the Curly Willow, Purple Arctic Willow, Pink Pussy Willow, Coyote Willow, Goat Willow, Fire Willow, Weeping Willow, Brittle Willow.
Willow growing on the river banks of Babylon

Apollo’s willow-wood Harp rest in the embrace of the glorious hair of the oldest Willow. The wind blows the elves whispers through Her branches and leaves, keeper of dreams, inspiration, poetry spells, enlightening fascination, bringer of good, all over the world, immortality and rebirth.
Love endures, the navel tribe, one blood, one breath. Under your pillow, Willow will find your greatest good.
Listen to the long, flowing branches limber and supple, accommodating enchanting trills. Wild beasts, rocks, and trees dance, following ancient strains, a sacred melody riding the breeze.

Over hills of fresh snow, melting down into freezing winding streams, down to the river where
the Willow stands gather, twist and turn, waving wildly in all directions, tying the willow boughs

together into an arch and then a portal, where within, ’She’, stands in another dream. Tattered and torn, chased and abused, yet still alive, still dancing with divine grace, a solemn smile, quietly humming the willow-wood harp’s tune. Grandmother Willow bends and bows, with the moon reflecting in Her eyes.
She wildly spins as She dances alone, singing an ancient mystery.
Her song mingles with the slow rhythm of an occasional wave of a wing at her breast,

where a butterfly gently rest, changing colors in rhythm, slowing down the wild tune, of Her spinning dance, She turns toward the portal with a question in Her eye. All with the tip of her wing, the unexpected stillness comes at the end of all things. It was all in the blink of an eye, a snowflake from the sky. The arch, the portal, She, the wood-willow harp, and the butterfly, all disappear, leaving only
Her vaporous question drifting in the frozen air.
?Where are my rhythm makers,? My beautiful ones, the ones that hold together the harmonies, the balance of the seasons, the ebb and flow of everything! Where have my Insects! gone?
FH 2023