Nottingham Students Use Artistic Talents to Contribute to Upstate Cancer Center
Nottingham junior Christopher Carson was diagnosed with a brain tumor three years ago, at age 15. As part of his treatment, he had to use a custom radiation mask. Now 18 and cancer free, the mask sits in his room as a reminder of what he’s been through.Meanwhile, in art class, he was decorating someone else’s mask to look like Deadpool – one of his favorite comedy characters. He covered the mask with paper mache and painted it… not just for fun – but for part of his class’s partnership with Upstate Cancer Center.
Through the ‘Beneath the SurFACE’ program, Nottingham art students used their artistic talents to beautify old radiation masks – which were then auctioned off in a fundraiser to benefit the Upstate Cancer Center. This is the second year of the partnership, which also includes head and neck cancer advocacy lessons in the school’s health classes. The program educates youth about how they can make lifestyle choices now that will help prevent cancer in the future, and also exposes them to the stories of head and neck cancer patients and the impact cancer has had on them, their families, and the community.
“I don’t like to dwell on these memories,” Christopher shared. “But it makes me feel good to see our mask projects and think of all the people who no longer need these masks, and who are now celebrating finishing their own treatments.”
Students decorated their masks with open-ended guidelines – giving each one a personality straight from the artist’s imagination. From animals and superhero designs to intricate painted patterns and even crochet, the masks showed a variety of techniques. Each also showed the students’ passion for turning something with potentially negative memories into something beautiful.
“I’m inspired by the Spanish culture,” senior Blanca Flores explained. “They celebrate the Day of the Dead, where families come together to celebrate the lives of those they love and have lost, remembering all the great memories. I’m half Spanish and my dad’s family does this. I hope this project allows my artwork to inspire someone else, and that it shows the former patients that a lot of people care about them.”
“I wanted to do something nature inspired,” senior Greer Foley shared of her colorful embroidered neck and chest mask. “I wanted it to show growth and movement. I used embroidery needles for a project once in 8th grade and thought it would be fun to try it again here. I blocked out the colors on the mask so there would be a gradient, and then I kind of went with it, starting the embroidery at the heart and branching outwards. It’s a lot of pressure to know that our work will be auctioned off, because I want it to look good! But it feels so rewarding to know that I’m contributing to a good cause.”
We’re so proud of the ways that #SCSDGivesBack, and how these student artists are using their talents to benefit such a good cause. Any staff interested in bringing the Beneath the SurFACE project to their students are encouraged to contact Martha Ryan at ryanmart@upstate.edu or by calling (315) 415-0682.
