Exhibit on view October 6 - 10, 2025 in our Second Floor Gallery, FA-201 Reception: Wednesday, October 8, 4 - 7 p.m. Artist Talk at 6:30 p.m. in FA-105. Art heals. Confronted with breast cancer, artists Berenice Badillo and Gloria Muriel, found solace and strength in their creativity. During their most vulnerable moments, with their lives forcibly on hold, they drew and sketched, wrote poetry and affirmations. In this pop-up exhibit they share the artwork that emerged out of this difficult period. Theirs is a gift of knowledge, hope, and resilience; their work brings awareness and understanding of a disease that affects many women. This show is on view in our second-floor gallery during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Inspired by Audre Lorde’s "The Cancer Journals" (1980); Badillo decided not to “waste her pain” and began to create educational content about her disease. She used social media effectively, with witty heartfelt posts that revealed the life of a cancer patient. As she navigated difficult moments, explaining medical jargon, she also but also found ways to experience joy. Drawings, sculptures, textile pieces burst out. Engaging her practice as a therapist, Badillo also created a poetry book that was provided to newly diagnosed patients. While undergoing chemotherapy, Gloria (Glow) Muriel also looked to artmaking as both refuge and powerful medicine. Sitting through treatment, she engaged in a meditative task of filling journals with sketches and words. The drawings she created for this exhibition, are expressions of an intimate time, when she felt the most vulnerable, and they are revealed to a public audience for the first time. Surreal and magical characters emerge guiding Muriel through her journey, connecting her to Nature and holistic practices. This exhibit will become a touching point, a way to support and start a conversation about this illness. During event park in Parking Lot 1. STAFF spots. San Diego Mesa College Gallery on Facebook / Instagram
