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(MINOT, ND) – Paintings from Trinity CancerCare Center’s art therapy program are on display throughout the month of October in Artspace Suite 1 in downtown Minot. Twelve paintings are included in the show, each communicating the patient’s own cancer experience.

According to Oncology Social Worker Carol Mohagen, patients at the center have had the opportunity for a few years now to express their emotions about cancer through art classes led by Minot State University Art Professor Bill Harbort.

‘Every painting is unique,’ Mohagen said. ‘The classes include discussions about each individual’s cancer journey, and they paint whatever comes to mind using a variety of themes and subjects. Until now we’ve only shown the paintings here at the CancerCare Center. This will be the first time we’ve had a showing that’s open to the public.’

Art therapy is one aspect of the center’s Survivorship Program, which includes a variety of activities and alternative medicine choices to address the long-term needs of cancer survivors. Studies have shown that art therapy can provide a form of emotional support and a means of communicating difficult feelings about a patient’s cancer experience.