“Art therapy has been a life saver from the beginning. Getting negative thoughts and feelings out is so important. It’s been a friend-maker connecting with others who have a cancer journey. Our group bonded on zoom, admiring work, exchanging ideas and suggestions and insights. We have become friends and don’t take ending this group lightly.”
Jan Falk, Survivor Expressions artist
“I created a set of three mosaics to tell the story of my breast cancer journey: diagnosis (Sudden Suffering), confusing and overwhelming treatment (Creating Character), and the end of active treatment (Holding Hope). My inspiration was Romans 5 verses 3 and 4 that were, and continue to be, a lifeline for me.”
Rita Schunk, Survivor Expressions artist
In the spirit of Rare Chair Affair, in 2022 WBCC launched Survivor Expressions, a program providing breast cancer survivors with an art-therapy based workshop that proved to be a unique, intimate and empowering art-making experience. Seven artists participated in the program and shared their work at a reception and exhibit on the Skywalk at Aurora St Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee on August 5, 2023. The work was on display until August 19 before traveling to other parts of the state (see traveling exhibition schedule below).
View the 2023 Survivor Expressions gallery
Survivor Expressions was led by licensed art therapist Jill McNutt, owner of The Art Therapy House, Inc. and Licensed Art Therapist at Advocate Aurora Healthcare. She led one-to-one and group art-making sessions, guiding participants on a journey using various mediums to healing, reflection and celebration of survivorship. The program was offered to survivors throughout the state and opportunities for virtual-only participation were available. No prior art making experience was required. Survivor Expressions was funded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and was free of charge for participants.
2023 Survivor Expressions Traveling Exhibition Dates and Locations
August 29 – September 14
Mercyhealth Hospital and Medical Center–Walworth
Hwys 50 and N2950 WI-67, Lake Geneva WI 53147
September 16 – 17
Saturday, 10am – 6pm | Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Wine and Harvest Festival, Cedarburg
W63N643 Washington Ave, Cedarburg, WI 53012
October 3 – 17
Marshfield Medical Center–Beaver Dam
707 S University Ave, Beaver Dam, WI 53916
October 22 – November 2
Northwest Wisconsin Cancer Center, Ashland
1615 Maple Ln, Ashland, WI 54806
November 9 – November 21
Turville Bay Radiation Oncology Center, Madison
1104 John Nolen Drive Madison, WI 53713
Jill McNutt Ph.D., LPC, ATR-BC, ATRL, ATCS
Art Therapist, Counselor, Artist
Jill has been a leader in art therapy practice and education for over two decades. Her practice specialties include: medical art therapy in cancer care and epilepsy, trauma informed care, art therapy education, and facilitation of open studio processes. Her philosophical approach to art therapy is through a feminist lens with attributes from narrative and psychodynamic perspectives. Jill’s most valued art therapy venues are studio group facilitation and working with patients who are hospitalized. Her current affiliations include: The Art Therapy House, Inc., offering art therapy services to Wisconsin communities and individuals; Advocate Aurora Health working in medical art therapy and staff wellness; and Edgewood College where she serves as Director of Graduate Art Therapy. Jill also serves the art therapy community in Wisconsin as the Chair of Governmental Affairs for the Wisconsin Art Therapy Association, and as the Chair of the Research Committee for the American Art Therapy Association.