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Bath Twp. business provides donations, free lessons for pediatric cancer program
By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Saturday, Sep 06, 2008
BATH TWP.:
She envisioned a gallery where she and other artists could display their works while helping children and young adults touched by cancer frame those dramatic experiences through art.
That vision is now a reality called Art With Heart LLC, an art gallery in Bath Township's Ghent Square that bills itself as ''a galleria of enrichment to benefit Akron Children's Hospital.''
The unusual gallery brings together Grell's three passions: art, education and children.
The walls and tables inside the nearly year-old business are filled with pieces created by about 35 artists, including several
teens and young adults who have battled cancer.
The works for sale are a diverse mix of media and styles — photographs, watercolors, fiber art, blown glass, pencil drawings, jewelry, beaded metal serving pieces, wine stoppers, sand-cast cement, leaf forms, wood carvings, quilts and others.
''It's evolved rather nicely,'' Grell said.
A portion of the gallery's share from each sale is earmarked to help patients in the hospital's cancer program.
In addition, Grell and other artists donate their time and talents to provide free art lessons to cancer patients and survivors ages 8 to 24.
''It's a business with a heart, basically,'' Grell said. ''The reason I opened it is for the children.''
Art therapy
Breanna Cleavenger, 16, of Cuyahoga Falls, is one of the students who takes lessons at the gallery on Saturday mornings.
Cleavenger has been battling brain tumors since she was 4.
Doctors originally thought she would die within six months, said her mother, Yvonne. But a surgeon at Children's was able to remove the bulk of the most threatening tumor and save her life.
In the years that followed, Cleavenger required regular physical and occupational therapy to walk again and regain strength.
Art became her therapy and her fun. Making bracelets and necklaces out of beads, for example, helped her regain movement in her hands.
''She loves making things for people,'' her mother said.
Cleavenger now spends most Saturday mornings taking photographs with Grell's guidance.
Several of her photos are prominently displayed on a wall dedicated to the student artists.
Grell encourages all the students to use an artist name, just like most of the professionals.
Cleavenger's is ''Brea.''
''Jan is such a sweetheart to me,'' she said. ''It's been pretty great. I love going there.''
Pursuing a dream
The Copley Township woman was working as a part-time instructor at the University of Akron when she decided to pursue her dream of establishing a gallery that provides a home for local artists and supports a cause for children.
When she couldn't find an exact business model to match her vision, Grell said, she did research and developed her own plan.
She decided to establish a gallery that accepts local artists on consignment and then donates part of the proceeds from sales to Akron Children's Hospital.
So last year, Grell met with hospital officials to pitch her idea.
The subsequent agreement calls for Art With Heart to donate a minimum of 10 percent of the gallery's proceeds to the Child Life Program in the hospital's hematology and oncology department.
The program provides games, arts, crafts and other activities to patients ''to make their stay more enjoyable,'' said Steve Bossart, the hospital's director of leadership giving.
Grell estimates the gallery has donated several hundred dollars so far.
Children's often gets corporate support, but no other business has offered to perpetually earmark a portion of all its revenues, Bossart said.
''No one has done this before,'' he said. ''I think it's neat. I hope people will like it and go there. Hopefully, she will be very successful.''
Business philanthropy
Not only do business owners feel good by doing good deeds, but also their bottom line can get a boost by strategically aligning with a cause, said Susan A. Hyatt, founder and chief executive of Business Nonprofit Connections Inc., a company in Denver that works with businesses to be more effective in their community involvement.
''If you're going to buy something and you know a percentage of it is going back, I don't know about you, but I want to frequent those places,'' said Hyatt, author of a book to be published this fall called Business Giving: How Smart Companies Give Back. '' . . . It can help grow the business.''
Business philanthropy also helps boost reputation and visibility by sharing the message: ''Hey, we're here, and we care about the community,'' she said.
Hyatt recommends small businesses take the same approach as Art With Heart: Focus on one cause and think of creative ways to support it.
''I think a lot of times, smaller businesses, especially, take themselves out of it because they think they're not big enough or cash-rich enough to make a difference,'' she said. '' . . . It could be employee time, maybe some cash, maybe product, loaning out a meeting room.''
In Grell's case, her students and their parents say the time she and the other artists give is an invaluable gift.
Dakota Might, a 13-year-old leukemia survivor from the Akron area, was Grell's first photography student since shortly after the gallery opened in November.
He's sold about five nature photos under his artist name, ''Dane,'' and is considering a career in photography.
''It's a very wonderful program,'' said his mother, Roxanne. ''I know my son didn't have any idea he would love it as much as he does.
''I think it's something that would be a good outlet for children who are dealing with cancer.''
ABOUT ART WITH HEART
Art With Heart LLC is at 843 N. Cleveland-Massillon Road, Suite DN 4, Bath Township.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment.
For information about buying, selling or donating artwork and the free art lessons for pediatric cancer patients, call 330-666-5511 or visit www.artwheart.com .
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
BATH TWP.:
Get the full article here.
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