Event Calendar

Workshop Description

This welcoming 3-hour guided workshop provides a nurturing space for anyone affected by cancer and their families to explore themes of hope, resilience, friendship, and family through the accessible art of collage-making. Inspired by the art of Priscilla Snow Algava, participants will consider a personal motto, saying, or mantra and transform a variety of materials into meaningful personal expressions, with no prior artistic experience needed. Deborah Rice will guide the creative process in this judgment-free environment where stories can be shared or kept private. Join us to connect with others who understand your journey while creating tangible representations of your strength and support systems.

Workshop Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

1. Experience a safe, supportive environment for creative expression and optional sharing
2. Create a personal collage artwork that visually represents their journey, hopes, and support networks (personal materials are welcomed)
3. Explore artistic techniques that require no previous experience but offer meaningful results
4. Connect with others who understand the cancer experience 
5. Identify and articulate personal sources of strength, resilience and hope
6. Take home a tangible reminder of their inner resources and support systems

Workshop Format

• Welcome & Introduction (20 minutes): Brief overview of collage techniques and theme exploration
• Open Studio Time (2 hours): Participants work at their own pace
• Optional Sharing Circle (40 minutes): Opportunity to share stories behind created works
• Materials provided: Magazines, photographs, fabric scraps, natural elements, decorative papers, quality adhesives, supportive backing materials, and various embellishments

Facilitator Bio

Deborah Rice is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (NY), Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (NY), and Licensed Professional Art Therapist (NJ) who believes strongly in the creative process and works from a place of compassion and collaboration. Over the past two decades, she has provided therapy to adults, children, and adolescents throughout New York City to address behaviors, the impact of systemic trauma, interpersonal trauma, health and relationships. She is a member of MINT (Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers) and has trained hundreds of clinicians, educators and health providers throughout New York. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute and has a private practice in Brooklyn, NY. Deborah got to know and worked with the Algava family during their time at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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About See Beauty Everywhere: Art by Priscilla Snow Algava

Priscilla was a prolific creator, and this show will display over 45 of her original works in a range of media. This is an opportunity to share Priscilla’s belief in “seeing beauty everywhere” and to admire someone who was an avid supporter of the artist inside each of us.

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This workshop is being generously underwritten with support from the Priscilla Snow Algava fund and with support from the Moses Brown Class of 1948 Award granted to Drew Algava '26.