UCSF Art for Recovery

08/04/2026

Claudia Dolin | Transcendence: From Pain to Joy | Stories of Art for Recovery

After being diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer, Claudia Dolan turned to art as a way to process pain, grief, uncertainty, and hope. Her exhibition, Transcendence: From Pain to Joy, reflects a deeply personal journey toward peace and a moment of full circle, revealing how creativity can transform suffering into meaning.

Join us Wednesday, August 12th from 4:30 - 6:30 PM at Mission Bay to unveil 'Transcendence: From Pain to Joy,' the exhibition show featuring work by Claudia. The work will be on both display cases on the first floor lobby UCSF Adult Cancer Hospital at 1855 4th Street.

After being diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer, Claudia Dolan t...

07/08/2026

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-hospitals-are-using-the-arts-to-help-patients-recover

Thank you so much to PBS for our feature 'How Hospitals are using the Arts to Help Patients Recovery' on their News Hour! If you were not able to catch our story on the live coverage, please see below for the full video:

As the impact of art on better health outcomes is being studied more and more, some hospital systems are now focusing on even the youngest of patients. Special correspondent Mike Cerre took a look at one approach for all ages. It's part of our ongoing coverage of health and arts for our CANVAS serie...

07/07/2026

We're on PBS! For everyone in the Bay Area, PBS NewsHour will be featuring Art for Recovery on KQED television at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and on KQED NPR radio at 3:00 PM. For friends outside of the Bay, it should play on your local screens at 6:00 PM local time.

If you prefer to stream it on your own schedule, the full feature will be online after 7:00 PM PST.

Bookmark this link to watch later:

Live video streaming of today's news including breaking coverage and analysis focused on politics, U.S., world, health, science, arts and culture. PBS News is a public media news organization and home to the PBS News Hour, one of the most trusted news programs on air and online.

06/04/2026

Mark Lowenstern | My Heaven | Stories of Art for Recovery

"It was too overwhelming not to write."

After discovering he was diagnosed with two cancers, Mark found writing as a form of creative expression. Mark is a consistent member of our men's writing group, bringing in vulnerable shares from his journal, including his struggles of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It was too overwhelming not to write."After discovering he was d...

05/22/2026

New art show at Mission Bay featuring patient artists Gwen Mahoney and Barbara Sloan at the 1855 entrance, running May 21 through the end of July. Come experience this incredible collection of art and explore their curious creative journeys.

05/14/2026

Join us May 21st from 4 -6 PM at Mission Bay to unveil two new exhibitions at Mission Bay. We will be featuring Barbara Sloan and Gwen Mahoney, two artists from our Wednesday Open Art Studio group at Mount Zion. Barbara will be showcasing her show "Line Meets Curve" with beautiful watercolors and a variety of different mediums, and Gwen will be displaying her show "Home" with wonderful collage and art from her life.

In Barbara's words, "Art is the only place I can drive off a cliff and not get hurt. My watercolors serve as a diary, where I operate in 'drift' mode, letting whatever catches my eye guide me. Each brushstroke is a decision, and I embrace the freedom to be as reckless as I want."

In Gwen's words, "In my professional life, I was a costume designer and a stylist in Los Angeles for movies plays commercials and stills - I painted my first house when I was about seven. My house grew to villages. There’s always a house, there’s usually a mountain and I believe it all comes from instinct."

Come celebrate Barbara and Gwen's work and the spirit of our creative community on May 21st from 4 - 6 PM on the first floor lobby at UCSF Adult Cancer Hospital at Mission Bay (1855 Fourth Street, San Francisco, CA 94158).

05/04/2026

Mark Lowenstern | Writing as a Means to Heal | Stories of Art for Recovery

"It was too overwhelming not to write."

After discovering he was diagnosed with two cancers, Mark found writing as a form of creative expression. Mark is a consistent member of our men's writing group, bringing in vulnerable shares from his journal, including his struggles of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

1 like. "Mark Lowenstern | Writing as a Means to Heal | Stories of Art for Recovery"

04/22/2026

It’s a surreal day as we say goodbye to our little show at SFMOMA. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity and honored to have made history as the first medical center featured in a major metropolitan museum.

This is an experience we will cherish forever. Thank you to SFMOMA, and to all of our patients who made this dream a reality.

I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved together.

04/10/2026

Helen by Denise De Louise. Now on display UNTIL APRIL 22

"From the moment I saw a photograph develop in the darkroom, I was captivated by the way it turns reality into illusion. I photograph fleeting, unspoken moments—like finding my stepdaughter Heather sitting quietly on the bed—seeking to connect viewer, subject, and self before the moment disappears forever."

View Denise's piece at Steps Coffee on the second floor of SFMOMA today!
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04/07/2026

Party in Sea by Janna McLaughlin. Now on display UNTIL APRIL 22

"Art has always been a huge part of my life, not only as an expression of my creativity, but also as an integral part of my emotional life journey. Drawing and painting gives such a calm and meditative state within me, especially in times of heartache and despair. Art has a magical way of channeling hard experiences and I have leaned on it greatly through my relationship with cancer."

View Janna's piece at Steps Coffee on the second floor of SFMOMA today!
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