With Gratitude …
June 9th - August 25, 2023You can't make this stuff up!
With Gratitude …
My mother was an artist; some of my earliest memories involve being together, drawing. Both my parents encouraged and provided me with every opportunity to study and learn. At the age of 6, I began lessons with Sam Russo, a local artist who gained international recognition. Although he passed away four years ago, his intense passion and insight continue to inspire and motivate me. From Sam, I learned all the elements of composition, as well as the lesson of not just looking, but truly seeing. My BFA is from The Ohio State University and I earned an MFA from SUNY Buffalo where I also taught. During my university years I was honored to study with renowned artists, including David Hockney. Creating is my daily routine. I don’t feel complete if I haven’t made marks each day.
In 2019, I underwent chemoimmunotherapy for Lymphoma. There were no words to describe how I felt…but, I could draw IT. My work has always come from my heart. It comes from me, but during this battle against cancer, my marks actually came through me. After-effects of chemo and the COVID-19 lock down followed my treatment. The outcome is: With Gratitude… an art collection of over 120 drawings, mixed media collages, and paintings that express my story as a patient.
With Gratitude… is my thank you to the team of nurses, physicians assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians who guided me during my journey. I am beholden to them and to the researchers for the miracles they create. These artworks will be exhibited from June 9th to August 27th at Buffalo Art Movement (BAM!), with the proceeds benefitting The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation and the Lymphoma Research Program led by Dr. Francisco (Paco) Hernandez-Ilizaliturri.
Dr. Francisco J. Hernandez-Ilizaliturri’s team saved my life. Now, he’s also my gallerist. Incredible! You can’t make this stuff up. I’m blessed to give this gift.
Terri Katz Kasimov
Proceeds will benefit cancer research at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, through the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation.
About the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation
The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that manages all donations made to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Since its inception, over $455 million has been contributed to benefit Roswell Park’s research, education and patient-care programs.
Mission
To maximize dollars available for the most promising lifesaving research, treatment and prevention programs, while supporting the psychosocial needs of patients and families touched by cancer. Fundraising events and initiatives are carried out through a partnership between committed Roswell Park Alliance volunteers and Foundation staff.
History
In 1989, Katherine Gioia, then four years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. While Katherine was being treated at Roswell Park, Anne, her mother, began doing volunteer work in the newly created Development Department established to raise private sector financial support for the Institute. She came up with the idea of the Alliance, Roswell’s first community-wide volunteer organization, as a memorial to Katherine, who lost her battle with cancer less than one year after being diagnosed.
Anne knew she could not do this project alone and asked her sister-in-law, Donna Gioia, to co-found this organization. The idea was to call on some friends and associates and do something nice for a facility that had become a big part of their lives. In 1990, they compiled a list of 55 friends and business people they hoped would be interested in an organization to raise funds and public awareness of Roswell Park. They were overwhelmed when 50 said “yes”.
In 1991, the Alliance Foundation was established.
The Roswell Park Alliance Foundation ensure that every donation is put to the best possible use, and have been recognized seven years straight by Charity Navigator for those efforts.
