Ventana Gallery hosts MAMMOCAPES art exhibition to benefit El Rio Health, raise breast cancer awareness, and support

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance and Roche Tissue Diagnostics invite the public to the exhibition and opening reception for “Superheroes, Capes of Strength and Beauty”
 
(TUCSON, Ariz) Roche Tissue Diagnostics and the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance are joining forces with local artists to feature a community-driven art installation of locally designed and fabricated mammography capes. The exhibition, which is open to the public, will raise awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening and research. The exhibition titled, “Superheroes, Capes of Strength and Beauty,” and a silent auction, will raise funds for El Rio Health, a community-based health center that provides accessible, affordable, high-quality healthcare to more than 107,000 Tucsonans. This special exhibit opens in October, commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
The mammography capes are used in El Rio Health by patients receiving mammograms, which is a low- dose x-ray that allows specialists to look for abnormal changes in breast tissue. The exhibit will feature 75 of these capes that have been altered, embellished, painted, quilted and otherwise re-imagined with no limit on materials or techniques used. The exhibit is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, celebrate survivors and remember those we have lost.
 
About the Fundraiser:
Roche will host a silent auction accompanying the opening of the exhibit on October 17, 2019. All displayed capes will have a starting bid of $100, with 100 percent of all funds raised to support El Rio Health Center Foundation’s breast cancer mammography fund for uninsured and underinsured patients. Select pieces will be chosen for display in El Rio Radiology Departments. Unsold pieces will be auctioned by El Rio or gifted to El Rio’s patients who are breast cancer survivors. Purchased capes will remain on display through the end of the exhibition.
 
Opening Reception:
An opening reception will be held on October 17, 2019 at Roche Tissue Diagnostics, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive, from 5pm to 7 p.m. First, second and third place winners will be awarded by an external jury of judges. Reception attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pieces and artists will be recognized with various awards at a ceremony.
 
Campus Exhibition Opening Reception
Exhibition Dates: October 4, 2019 – January 7, 2020
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 17, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Roche Tissue Diagnostics, 1910 E. Innovation Park Drive
Cost: Free
Online: https://www.saaca.org/ventanagallery
Phone: (520) 797-3959
To RSVP (optional): https://tinyurl.com/SAACA-Roche-Superheroes
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NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos available
 
About the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance
The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation and advancement of the Arts.  SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences.  SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work.  To date, SAACA has created over 200,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. SAACA continues to grow in footprint and in impact while working to pursue the mission of strengthening the bonds between people, place and purpose.