Lincoln County Family Finds Connection at Healing Arts Workshops August 6, 2024 When sisters Melissa Butler from Siletz and Andrea Butler from Lincoln City learned there were new Saturday Art Workshops being offered at the Samaritan Center for Health Education in Newport, they saw it as an opportunity for their family to support one another. Their mother, Brenda Butler, also from Siletz, has been receiving treatment for breast cancer and has struggled to find motivation to leave the house except for her infusion treatments at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. “When I was at an appointment with my mom, I saw information about an upcoming mixed media journaling workshop through ArtsCare,” Melissa said. “I talked to my sister about the workshop and we both thought it might be something our mom would venture out for.” ArtsCare workshops are offered once a month on a Saturday in Albany and Newport and are open to cancer patients, survivors and those touched by cancer. All workshops and associated materials are always free. “I really enjoyed the journaling workshop,” Brenda said. “It was nice to get out of the house and talk to people and hear their stories. Creating art was a nice release and being able to do it with my daughters and grandkids was wonderful. I couldn’t attend the May workshop because I wasn’t feeling well, but I look forward to going again.” What Brenda experienced illustrates the principal behind art and music in health care settings. “When you can lose yourself in an activity that allows you to release stress or free your mind, you almost instantly feel better,” said Erin Gudge, Samaritan’s ArtsCare program manager. “Art and music promote physical and emotional well‑being.” Visit samhealth.org/ArtsInHealth to learn more about the ArtsCare program. See upcoming ArtsCare events including music performances offered during the lunch hour at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital.
