CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ARIZONA LAUNCHES CONTEST TO SELECT SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE DESIGN
CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY ARIZONA LAUNCHES CONTEST TO SELECT SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE DESIGN
Four local artists have created designs and the organization is inviting the community to help select which best reflects “community” for people impacted by cancer, and best embodies the essence of Cancer Support Community Arizona
What: The Arizona legislature approved a Cancer Support Community Arizona specialty license plate1 and Cancer Support Community Arizona invited four local Arizona artists to submit a design for the plate.. The organization launched a contest to help choose the final design2. “We need our community’s help to select the plate which best reflects “community” for people impacted by cancer, and best embodies the essence of Cancer Support Community Arizona” said Debbie DiCarlo, CEO of Cancer Support Community Arizona, which provides emotional and social support to anyone affected by cancer.
With locations in both Phoenix and Flagstaff, the nonprofit offers more than 100 free programs per month, including support groups, hospital navigation, social activities, mind/body therapies (like expressive art and yoga classes), nutritional counseling, and educational seminars. The free programming is available both in-person and virtually and is offered in both English and Spanish.
When: Now through June 10, 2022
How: Community members throughout Arizona are invited to vote for their favorite design in an online contest: www.bit.ly/CSCAZVote. Only one vote per person will be counted, and the contest closes on Friday, June 10th. The winner will be announced during a private invitation-only reception on Thursday, June 16th, and to the general public on Friday, June 17th. Cancer Support Community Arizona will then work with the State of Arizona to design and produce the final design, which should be available to the public by the end of 2022.
Who: Since 1999, Cancer Support Community Arizona (CSCAZ) has been providing emotional and social support for anyone impacted by cancer. The nonprofit organization offers more than 100 free programs per month, including support groups, social activities, mind/body therapies, nutritional counseling and educational seminars that are specially designed to support cancer patients, their families, and caregivers. A majority of Cancer Support Community Arizona’s programs are funded by individual and corporate donors. To learn more about CSCAZ, visit cscaz.org.
The Artists: Ray Goodluck is from the Navajo Nation and from the ‘Mud People’ clan, born for the ‘One-Who-Walks-Around-One’ clan. Ray is an artist who is highly regarded for depicting Arizona beauty and the cultural story of the Navajo people in Acrylics as well as sketching. Ray inspires people with his artistic plate design to give hope, especially to families that are facing cancer. Never Give UP! The hummingbird represents hope and overcoming against all odds. The male and female sun rays depict positive energy. https://raygoodluck.com/ Info@RayGoodluck.com 623-296-2905
Tiesha Harrison a Phoenix born, young abstract expressionist artist, is passionate about the community and uses media and mixed arts to redefine relationships. On her tour of CSCAZ Tiesha shared “There is just too much here that speaks of goodness, wholeness, and connection.” When asked why she wanted to participate in this campaign, she said “When I was first approached about the project, I was moved by the mission. I wanted to contribute and bring awareness to an amAZing organization through an art collaborative initiative.” As a creative leader, she views her gifts and talents as a resource to help others and is grateful for the opportunity to connect with families facing cancer diagnosis through art. After learning about the programs, resources, and support CSCAZ provides, Tiesha shared that she wanted to create a design that was a reflection of what she experienced during her visit with CSCAZ. “A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.”
https://www.iamundefinedart.com/ iamundefinedart@gmail.com 602-348-7342
Tessa Nicole, an Arizonan native, has coined a unique artistic style called textured pointillism. Tessa uses oils on canvas painting with a palette knife to bring nature and landscapes to life. Tessa has shared her art and music with Cancer Support Community Arizona for many years. She had the privilege of hearing individuals’ personal battles, heartaches, accomplishments, & victories. From those poetic stories came her song, “The Strong One”, which she performed at an annual Cancer Support Community Arizona Porch Party Gala. Tessa expressed her gratitude in developing a relationship with CSCAZ and the incredible people who work to make it what it is. When asked why she wanted to participate in this campaign, Tessa shared: “When I was first introduced to CSCAZ I was moved by the hearts & stories of everyone touched by this organization.” Regarding her inspiration that drove her rendition, Tessa said, “I have always associated CSCAZ with light; a light in a dark world. This rendition is a homage to both CSCAZ & Arizona, highlighting what they are best known for: a signature dramatic AZ sunset sky combined with the CSCAZ logo shining bright at the forefront, contrasted against the silhouette of Camelback Mountain. The license plate design features the color palette of our state flag, accompanied by the final detail of a proud saguaro cactus on the left-hand side.”
https://www.tessanicoleart.com/ info@tessanicoleart.com
Frank Ybarra is a Phoenix born artist and well known for his southwest style and Latino cultural roots. A cancer survivor and a faithful supporter of CSCAZ, Frank says “This project is a privilege to participate in! Let’s get the word out on the good work that Cancer Support Community Arizona does in our communities to support families.”
http://ybarraart.com/ fybarra@fastq.com 602.908.0339
Visuals: For a link to access and download visuals to accompany this announcement, visit this link https://bit.ly/3sIWgHt
Interviews: To arrange an interview with Cancer Support Community Arizona or a local cancer patient/survivor, please contact Annet Ruiter, aruiter@cscaz.org or 623-810-7051. To arrange interviews with the artists, please contact the artists directly.
1 AZ SB1310 | 2021 | Fifty-fifth Legislature 1st Regular |Chaptered, Arizona Senate Bill 1310. Passed 3.26.2021 https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/75183 The cost for each specialty license plate is currently $25 annually, of which $17 will go to the special fund administered by Cancer Support Community AZ to provide free professional emotional support and survivorship skills to anyone impacted by cancer in Arizona.
2 Final plate design will be pending Arizona State approval and possible required revisions.