A Melbourne retail gallery called Lumina Fibre Arts Gallery has taken the cause of fundraising for breast cancer research to new heights by dedicating the entire month of October to a tribute exhibition called Fat Quarters in Pink.

Owner of Lumina, Suzanne Vial, is rallying the patchworking and quilting troops of Australia to celebrate a festival of fat quarters by dressing special breast cancer fundraising pink dollies.

For the past few months Suzanne and her staff have sold close to 300 pink dolly kits, comprising the doll, an official pink silk Breast Cancer ribbon, a name card for dolly, fabric and lace remnants to “fire” the imagination, plus a $20 pink gift card to be used  at Lumina.

The dolls are to be dressed by quilters and other creative enthusiasts and returned to Suzanne to be exhibited and, with permission, sold. During October people who visit the store will be asked to make a gold coin donation and this, along with proceeds from any sold dollies, will go to The Cancer Council of Victoria.

Pink Ribbon Day is an annual initiative of the Cancer Council and the ribbon itself is a symbol of support for the many women who have been affected by the disease throughout the world. This year Pink Ribbon Day falls on 27 October.

Like most of us, Suzanne’s life has been touched by cancer and she knows many of her predominantly female clientele are all too familiar with the disease. “This was originally a project I started up in conjunction with the Waverley Patchworkers,” says Suzanne who comes from a fashion marketing background and who has studied textile arts at TAFE level in recent years. “I wanted people to be able to explore quilting and patchworking techniques in ways they might not normally or to try new ideas. I know some people have skills that they don’t often have the opportunity to show off.”

Since the idea first came around, however, it has grown and grown and Suzanne has been selling the doll kits across the country. Definitely breast cancer is an emotive topic and Suzanne says she could “fill a book” with the stories she’s heard from people since the Fat Quarter Tribute was launched but, she says, many of the groups who’ve contacted her have been pleased to find a “relevant” activity to lend their craft to.

Suzanne knows first hand the importance of craft and artwork in the maintenance of health and wellbeing. She has two adopted children, both from “traumatised” backgrounds as she describes it, who have benefited greatly from art therapy. (Her 12-year-old son, Jeremy, is decorating a dolly for the exhibition.) She is, therefore, not at all surprised to discover that many  of the doll kits are being purchased as gifts for women who have undergone or are currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. The kits come with a tribute card as well and Suzanne says some purchasers will dedicate their dolls to friends who have lost their fight with cancer and to others who have survived.

Suzanne is also linking with ‘Look Good... Feel Better’, a free community service program dedicated to helping women undergoing treatment for cancer. The purpose of the program is to help them manage the appearance related side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thereby helping to restore their appearance and self image. “We’ll run an awareness campaign throughout October,” says Suzanne. “I know we have a lot of knitters amongst our clientele and circles. We’re hoping they will make hats for ‘Look Good... Feel Better’ because there are special requirements for this headwear - it needs to be lightweight and soft - and of course it needs to be stylish. There is also a great need for teenagers and those in their early 20s going through treatment. They need something hip and youthful to wear.”

There is so much going on at Lumina in October that it promises to be a crazy month. As well as the dolly exhibition there will be a Pink Morning Tea, a silent auction made up of handmade goods from supporting artists, demonstrations from practicing artists, plus a talk given  by an art therapist. “And after all that we have Cup weekend and then I open for our Christmas selling period - when everyone who wants to give unique handmade gifts - comes by,” says Suzanne.

Links

Lumina Fibre Arts Gallery
www.luminatextiles.com.au [luminatextiles.com.au]
89 Waverley Road, East Malvern VIC 3145
PO Box 296 Kerrimuir Victoria 3129
Tel: (03) 9569 3860

Cancer Council/Pink Ribbon Day (nationally)
www.pinkribbonday.com.au [pinkribbonday.com.au]

Look Good Feel Better
http://www.lgfb.org.au/ [lgfb.org.au]
Freecall 1800 650 960

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