January 9, 2010 -- Global Artist Benefit Showcase is a Gift for All

 

‘The Gift of Now’ will be held on Saturday January 9, 2010 from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. at The Arch Gallery located at 21562 Lorain Avenue, Fairview Park, Ohio, and offers a showcase of premier local and international artists.  Six feature artists, and over twenty supporting artists, hallmark the event, including the work of Taha Benadada, Leah Dadas, Nasir Parsipour, Jim Ptacek, and Samantha Reveley. The Gift, envisioned and created by Tom Janout, owner of the Arch Gallery, also serves as a benefit fund raising event for the cancer treatment fund of Leah Dadas, one of the show's artists. 

 

Leah's breast cancer has a high incidence of mortality (2-5% survival). At time of diagnosis, Leah did not have any health insurance coverage.  The event is free and open to the public.  All donations to help Leah are welcome.  A portion of proceeds from art sales and raffle ticket sales will also be contributed to Leah's Breast Cancer Fund to help with treatment expenses.

 

The evening's theme, The Gift of Now, invites people of all ages to celebrate the beauty found in each moment of life, and especially in the experience of art.  The Arch Gallery is a full-service art publishing group and gallery located in Fairview Park, Ohio.  Gallery owner, Tom Janout, has been involved in creating and coordinating art-scene ventures for over twenty-five years.  According to Janout, this kind of event is part of being a community-responsive business and compassionate artist.  "There's something magical about bringing together a global community of artists to display their amazing works of art and, at the same time, reach for something higher," Tom continues, "I don't know why, but when I met Leah, I knew immediately I had to do what I could to increase her chances for life; and, art is the most powerful healing agent available."

 

Leah Dadas is a counselor, artist and energy healer who is taking a holistic approach to the cancer treatment.  Drawing on a wide range of science-based modalities, including medical and complimentary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, she has pulled together a team of physicians and providers to create an aggressive plan of healing to treat the whole person.

 

According to Leah, the cancer has turned into a surprising experience of love, learning and support.  "The help has been so unbelievable; like a pebble in a wide ranging pond; the waves of love just keep on rolling out", Leah observes, "Tom's art show combines the power of beautiful art and compassionate hearts; it’s an affirmation that everything has purpose, even disease".    If the event proves successful, both Tom and Leah hope they can continue to provide ‘The Gift’ as a regular community art offering for others in need.

 

In addition to the featured artists, the evening is hallmarked by instrumental and vocal performances by area high school age musicians, performing individually and ensemble.  These young talents have taken initiative to organize the delivery of a variety of musical pieces and bring a positive, life-filled energy to an artistic evening. At 9:00 p.m. we will be forming a community healing circle, with reflections by Reverend Georgia M. Reash.

 

The invitation photograph was taken by Leah Dadas and is called, "BeHealed".  This vibrant pink flowering lotus waiting restfully in a simple pond exemplifies the simple but powerful impact of art, music, and love combined.

 

For more information, contact Tom Janout at the Arch Gallery 440.895.9995 or www.thearchgallery.net. For information about Leah's status, check out www.giveforward.org/leah/.