Painting the Town Pink at Studio One Noosa
Studio One Noosa is painting the town pink with a colourful art fundraiser featuring a line-up of talented local artists to raise funds as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Jodie Cameron gets a taste of all things pink ahead of the month-long Pretty in Pink exhibition!
At some point in our lifetime, if we haven’t already been affected by cancer, the chances are we’ll know someone who has because cancer doesn’t discriminate, and can affect anyone at any time. The Breast Cancer pink ribbon has become the universal symbol of hope, connection and solidarity, and Studio One Noosa’s Pretty in Pink exhibition in October is set to provide the perfect palette to help raise much-needed awareness and funds for the McGrath Foundation.
Studio One Noosa Co-owner, Juanita Van Den Burgh said they were committed to supporting local artists, and couldn’t wait to see the gallery be blushed with pink in honour of such a worthy cause.
“We have all been touched by cancer in one way or the other, and this is a unique opportunity for artists to participate in an exhibition that not only celebrates local art, but supports an amazing foundation who do so much in our community,” Juanita says. “There’s going to be so many works of art on display with stunning pops of pink; it will be a truly magical experience!”
Artists were encouraged to ‘get their pink on’ by submitting an artwork that best reflects their artistic style, with a splash of pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the month of October, donated artworks can be viewed and purchased either in-person at the Studio One Noosa gallery in Gateway Drive, Noosaville or online – allowing more people to support the initiative. Some of the pieces will also be available for an online auction.
The profits from the sales of these artworks will be donated to the McGrath Foundation to raise much-needed funding for Breast Care Nurses who directly support patients and their families during difficult times.
“The response has been amazing with more than 30 artists participating, including Noosa locals Colin Passmore, Beatrice Prost, Bronwyn Barton, and Lisa Lee just to name a few!” Juanita says.“This is the perfect opportunity to walk away with a local piece of art and raise money for a worthy cause.”
For Noosa artist Lisa Lee, the cause is particularly close to her heart as her mother is a breast cancer survivor. Her submission for the exhibition highlights these pillars of support – those that have the backs of those in a weakened, fragile and colourless state.
“Anyone who endures breast cancer or any type of cancer understands that having a loving and strong support person is the most important thing to help you get through it,” Lisa says. “Whether it is a family member or in this case, shining the spotlight on the amazing breast cancer care nurses who are absolute Queens in my eyes.”
McGrath Foundation CEO, Holly Masters said they were very grateful for all community fundraising efforts from events like Studio One Noosa’s Pretty in Pink exhibition.
“The funding allows the McGrath Foundation to continue funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses across rural, regional and metropolitan Australia to support individuals and their families dealing with breast cancer,” she said.
“McGrath Breast Care Nurses provide trusted, consistent and knowledgeable support for individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer by offering medical expertise, clinical care and psychosocial support from the time of diagnosis and throughout treatment.
“Thanks to fundraising support, a McGrath Breast Care Nurse is available for free without a doctor’s referral.”
The McGrath Foundation’s Look, Feel, Learn breast awareness framework, Holly says they encouraged everyone to follow these three simple steps to take control of their own breast health and self-check every month, not only during Breast Care Awareness Month in October, but throughout the year.
“A major part of good breast health is getting to know your breasts, so you know what is normal for you; the more you examine your breasts, the more you will learn about them and the easier it will become for you to tell if something has changed,” Holly says. “Unfortunately, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Australia, with 20,458 women and 217 men expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia this year.”
The exhibition will culminate with a Pretty in Pink Finale on Saturday 26 October at the Studio One Noosa Gallery, and will provide an opportunity for visitors to meet the artists, while enjoying bubbles, grazing boards and the Studio One Noosa space. It will also be the last opportunity to purchase your own splash of pink with a stunning artwork or to see any of the artworks up for auction up close.
Dig deep for the Pretty in Pink exhibition, support a worthy cause and you might just walk away tickled pink with a heartfelt new artwork.
More information and donations can be made directly to McGrath Foundation: www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
IN THE PINK!
1-26 October: Pretty in Pink Exhibition
View donated artworks and purchase your favourite pink piece at Studio One Noosa, 10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville or online www.studioonenoosa.com.au
18 October: Think Pink
National Breast Cancer Day. Wear pink and host or support a fundraising event or make a donation.
Find out more about the McGrath Foundation: www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au
26 October, from 5pm: Pretty in Pink Finale
The final chance to view your favourite piece, meet the artists, art lovers and those passionate to the cause. Enjoy bubbles and grazing boards, all welcome!
Unsold artworks will still be available to purchase in-person or online and the pieces selected for the online auction will be open until 12 midnight.
To view the Pretty in Pink artworks and purchase artwork or bid in the auction, visit:
www.studioonenoosa.com.au
