Something beautiful is happening in St. Croix, where cancer survivors are discovering that healing can come through the simple act of creating art. The Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project has launched an inspiring initiative that's bringing joy, community, and creative expression to those navigating the challenging cancer journey.

Throughout 2026, cancer patients and survivors can participate in free art therapy classes as part of the organization's "Art of Healing, Threads of Resilience, Healing Arts, Heritage and Culture Series." The program welcomes anyone affected by any type of cancer, creating an inclusive space where healing happens through creativity.

The next opportunity arrives on January 12th with a wire sculpture workshop led by renowned local artist Waldemar Brodhurst at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted. Brodhurst, a self-taught sculptor celebrated for transforming recycled materials into meaningful works of art, will guide participants in discovering their inner artist. It's a perfect example of how something discarded can become something beautiful—a powerful metaphor for the resilience of cancer survivors.

Project founder Diane J. Hampton has created what participants lovingly call "respite for the soul." The diverse range of classes has included mixed media, watercolor painting, and silk dyeing, each offering unique opportunities for creative exploration and emotional release.

Terry Vanterpool, who has thrived for fifteen years since her cancer diagnosis, radiates enthusiasm about her experiences in three different workshops. She particularly loved the silk-dye class taught by textile artist Yemaya Jones, where she learned techniques using Adinkra icons and carved symbols. "I enjoyed interacting with my fellow cancer survivors," Vanterpool shares, highlighting the community connection that makes these classes so special.

Fellow participant Debra Kissinger beautifully captured the essence of the program when reflecting on her silk-dye experience: "Each scarf turned out so beautiful and colorful. As I got to know the other participants, I was struck that our cancer journeys were as unique as the patterns on our scarves." She wondered if the colors chosen reflected each person's stage—treatment, remission, or survival—finding meaning in the creative process.

The program has received well-deserved recognition, earning a grant from the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development through its 2025 Healing Humanities Cultural Place-Keeping Grant Program. As one of thirteen organizations selected, the Virgin Islands Breast Cancer Project demonstrates how the arts can serve as powerful tools for healing and community building.

What makes this initiative particularly heartwarming is its accessibility—all classes are completely free for current cancer patients and survivors. By removing financial barriers, the program ensures that everyone who could benefit from this therapeutic experience has the opportunity to participate.

The workshops offer more than just artistic skills; they provide a supportive community where survivors can connect, share experiences, and find strength in one another. In these creative spaces, cancer doesn't define participants—their artistry, resilience, and vibrant spirits do.

As the series continues throughout the year, it stands as a shining example of how communities can support their members through difficult times, proving that healing takes many forms, and sometimes the most powerful medicine comes from creativity, connection, and hope.