Colorado Springs art show to feature work from breast cancer survivors
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A Colorado Springs woman is celebrating her recovery from breast cancer, with a special art exhibit highlighting women who have shared in her health battle. It's an event they hope will spread awareness about early detection, and give hope to others diagnosed.
Natalie Becker never meant to go 3 and a half years without a mammogram, but the inconvenience, believing she was already healthy, and coronavirus making the rounds… all added up to an overdue notice.
"I went in and I just had this weird feeling of, 'I hope everything's okay,'" said Becker as she thought back to her mammogram in March of 2021.
Unfortunately that weird gut feeling, was right.
Doctors at UCHealth found a small cancerous mass in one of her breasts.
"I was considered stage 1A," said Becker. "It had not traveled to my nodes, thank goodness. So it looked pretty good for me to just get the bad thing out."
Two months later, Becker had surgery to remove the cancer and underwent radiation. She's been in remission for just about a year now.
Once she felt strong enough after treatment, Natalie set up a safe space to dive into painting and drawing.
She realized her art had actually evolved since her diagnosis, implementing more colors than she’d ever used before.
"I love colors," said Becker. "When I start putting colors down and playing with them, it's almost like it brings me joy. I think that joy is really important in healing.”
Now Becker wants to bring that joy to others going through breast cancer, with a special art exhibit and speaker series starting Friday, featuring several women who have survived the disease.
"We want to talk about the importance of screening, nutrition, really being aware of your body, being really aware after 40 to not miss a mammogram, even though it doesn't feel good," said Becker. "Just really taking time to be thinking about your health, and being proactive.”
Becker also wants the exhibit to be a safe place for women newly-diagnosed.
"I want them to see that there are other women that have gone through this, and they're on the other side," said Becker. "Their art shows their joy, what they're doing, and where they are now.”
The group art show starts Friday July 1 at 5:00 p.m. at Jana L. Bussanich Art, which is located under the Colorado Avenue bridge.
More artist talks and presentations will take place every Saturday of July.
Space is limited at the gallery, so you're required to RSVP by calling 719-644-0340 and leaving a message.
