PINK ART in second year

The UCF Women's Studies program is turning the CityArts Factory into PINK ART, a painted bra paradise to raise awareness for breast cancer.

On March 17 the  women's studies department will have a gallery opening at the CityArts Factory, called PINK ART, to benefit the Young Survivors Coalition and to fund the women's studies scholarship program.

The gallery will feature submissions from UCF students as well as both professional and novice local artists. Submissions will range from poems to photographs, as long as they are respectful to women, according to M.C.  Santana, program director of the women's studies department.

"Cancer does not wait, and cancer does not care that you are beautiful and 19," Santana said.

Many artists have  decorated bras that are either dedicated to a specific person in their life dealing with breast cancer or with various other themes ranging from political stances to designs that are simple and aesthetically appealing.

"We had a best seller last year, and I think Katy Perry copied it, because it's the same one as in her video ‘California Gurls'," Santana said. "I think our rendition was more beautiful, with cupcakes."

This year a portion of the proceeds of PINK ART will go to the Orlando chapter of the Young Survivors Coalition. The Young Survivors Coalition is a support group for women under the age of 40 who have either had breast cancer or been affected by someone close to them having breast cancer.

"They target women who are diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40, it's a support, education, and empowerment group," said Anjella Warnshuis, program assistant for women's studies and African American studies.

"They're not your typical ‘sit in a room and talk about how horrible it is' group, they're very oriented towards getting you active, and reclaiming your power," Warnshuis said.

Ashley Inguanta, a creative writing graduate student and a graduate teacher associate, submitted portraits to last year's PINK ART event and is excited to participate again this year.

"When I heard PINK ART was going to be held there [CityArts Factory] I was really happy about it because it gives students a chance to have their artwork hung in this beautiful place, downtown in the middle of everything," Inguanta said.

According to Santana, some of the most amateur pieces submitted have brought in the highest bids.

"Enter, because some people say, ‘Oh, I don't know if my work is any good,' " Santana said. "We saw such a variety of excellence and some things that you wouldn't consider prize material, they sold. The whole point is to contribute for the cause."

Outside of supporting both the Young Survivors Coalition and the women's studies scholarship program, Santana said that the main goal of PINK ART is to raise awareness about breast cancer and the need for regular check-ups.

"I have lost two of my students already to breast cancer," Santana said. "Usually a young woman thinks, ‘Well, I'm young, I'm beautiful, there is nothing wrong with me, why should I even check or be proactive about my health? Grandma has breast cancer, my mom has breast cancer, not me.' "

The gallery will have its opening night on March 17 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and remain open to the public until April 3.

Any students interested in volunteering at the PINK ART event should e-mail  womenst@mail.ucf.edu.

To submit art pieces, go to www.womensstudies.cah.ucf and fill out an application by Feb. 25.