VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, in partnership with Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC), welcomes the return of Making A Mark, Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service's touring art exhibition.

The extraordinary display features the works of young artists whose lives have been touched by cancer and blood disorders and provides a unique focus on their personal issues. The exhibit will open to the public Thursday, April 21 at 5:00 p.m. in SimplyCinco and run through May 6 before moving to KVPAC gallery for an additional two-week showing, ending May 20.

Making A Mark is presented by The Periwinkle Foundation. The Periwinkle Foundation develops and provides programs that positively change the lives of children, young adults, and families who are challenged by cancer and other life threatening illnesses and are cared for at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Making A Mark encourages all patients and their siblings to share their feelings through applied art or creative writing. Often, deep-rooted feelings and fears can be given a positive outlet through the artistic expression. Every participant benefits as so much is gained through the creative process itself. All submissions go on exhibit at Texas Children’s Hospital each September then a selection of artwork travels to various locations throughout the year. Artwork created from KVPAC’s Healing Arts program at Texas Children’s Hospital, With All Art, is featured in the gallery.

Guest are invited to fill out a Postcard from the Road that The Periwinkle Foundation forwards to the artist or the artist’s family to convey the impact their artwork has had on the lives of others and to offer them encouragement.

While this exhibit serves to shine a light on these amazing artists, it also highlights KVPAC’s Healing Arts programs and commitment to Texas Children’s Cancer Center by way of volunteer art lessons at the Texas Medical Center campus. During the dynamic lessons, local artists visit children bedside and within a few hours create a 'wall-ready' piece of art. Creating beautiful artistic pieces is gratifying and empowering to the more than 400 patients and their siblings who participated last year. Now, KVPAC is expanding its commitment to the Healing Arts program by offering semi-private art classes at Texas Children’s Hospital’s new West Campus.

Making A Mark is open to children from all pediatric cancer treatment centers, and has attracted art and writing submissions from around the world. To highlight Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Texas Children's Cancer Center and Hematology Service and The Periwinkle Foundation have proudly displayed more than 200 entries each year since the first exhibit in September 1991. Past exhibits have been shown in Japan, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina and numerous cities throughout the state of Texas.

LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch is located at 23501 Cinco Ranch Boulevard in Katy. Gallery hours will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (excluding Sundays) through May 6. Groups of 10 or more, schedule your visit by contacting Kristin Miller at kmiller@kvpac.org.  Connect with LaCenterra online at LaCenterra.com,  Facebook.com/LaCenterra or Twitter.com/LaCenterra ; For KVPAC gallery hours, programs and general information, visit www.KVPAC.org. 

Pictured:  detail of a Photo taken at last year's exhibit by Jazmin Rodriguez of Katy.