Shands Arts in Medicine began a new art program in the fall of 2007. It all began with a request from Kevin McDonald, Director of the Radiation/Oncology’s new Physical Therapy Rehab program, which offers Physical Therapy and other modalities to patients receiving Radiation and or Chemotherapy at Shands Cancer Center. Kevin requested “art on the new walls” and whatever healing art activities Arts in Medicine felt would work for this new space and the special people who become familiar with it.

The title “Brushes With Hope” was chosen as it soon became obvious that patients and their caregivers who were attending the program felt uplifted by the experience. Many participants were living nearby at the Hope Lodge for an average of six weeks. Before treatment began, patients recalled that they showed up for appointments daily, were kindly greeted by staff, received their treatment and then went back to their temporary home. Loved ones sat in the waiting area, doing puzzles, reading, knitting or chatting while their loved ones received treatment.

When “Brushes With Hope” arrived, Artist in Residence Nancy Lasseter and volunteer assistant Claudia Cervantes converted the Children’s Playroom into an art studio with tables, paints, photos of fish, ceiling tiles and an idea. Prospective artists sitting in the adjoining lobby. were approached with: "Would you like to come paint with us? We would like to give patients a beautiful ocean scene to admire on the ceiling."

The rest is history. Patients and families started arriving earlier than their appointments so that they could get a jumpstart on painting their fishes and ocean scenes. With soft music playing in the background, the fun would begin and the most beautiful, sometimes whimsical works of art were created. There were many smiles, much laughter, and words of encouragement and joy spreading throughout the room.

Most of the families finished treatment in time to return home for the holidays. They had become a family; bonded by illness, by love, and by art. The ocean tiles were completed and ready for the new Rehab gym ceiling.

Patients for years to come will reap the benefit of their generous and joyful work. We heard a rumor that they were organizing a Survivors Cruise off the coast of Florida. Nancy and Claudia offered to bring the art supplies.