Mulvane Art Museum Classes

The Art of Healing

The University of Kansas Health System – St. Francis campus is committed to healing. Our Cancer Center patients who participate in a free art class Thursday evenings at the Mulvane Art Museum immerse themselves in a creative pastime while enjoying the camaraderie of others coping with a cancer diagnosis, too.

Under the leadership of Jane Hanni, an art instructor with the museum, the group's members have experimented with watercolor paintings, acrylic creations, tie-dye, ceramics, Shibori fabric dying, printmaking and gingerbread house construction. Their work has been showcased at the Topeka Performing Arts Center’s "Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays" and Sheltered Living Inc. "Festival of Trees" events, where their creations won awards.

"The classes provide patients with a creative outlet and an opportunity to bond with others going through a similar experience," says Kim Gronniger, administrative director of Marketing and Communications at St. Francis. "They've made beautiful pieces we've been able to exhibit at Washburn events and in our St. Francis display cases. I'm always amazed by their talent."

"There's so much camaraderie and joy in our sessions," Hanni says. "That's the main event."

"I don't have any art skills," says Carol Scheibe, who has been participating in the class for more than a year. "I just go for the fun of it."

For more information, please call Jane Hanni at 785-670-2422.

The classes take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Mulvane Art Museum, 17th and Jewell, on the Washburn University campus.