Healing power of art

It was while her son was battling cancer that Purvi Shah really saw the healing power of art.

She noticed a change in her little boy, Amaey Shah, when he was 3. She went to the Montessori preschool he was attending and saw her pale-faced little one sitting down with a sandwich. He didn’t seem to have the energy to eat the food in front of him. At first, Purvi Shah thought he was sick. But at home, she noticed his belly was extended.

A blood test later showed it was cancer.

The little Shah missed school due to treatment. It was then that his mother started to see the benefits of having access to art.

In 2008, Kids and Art was established with the mission to team up with children and families in the Bay Area who have been touched by cancer. The South San Francisco-based nonprofit offers art activities and participants are given the option to keep or leave their art. Pieces left are used as part of an auction, which will be held Sunday, June 3 at Gallery 4N5 in San Francisco. Proceeds from the event provides funds for art supplies, art therapy sessions for families and friends of cancer patients, and ongoing one-on-one and group art sessions.

"For me, it’s huge for a child to make something so beautiful and then leave it. It’s just amazing,” said Shah, of San Mateo.

Unfortunately, Shah’s son Amaey passed away in September. Shah said the organization has been wonderful for her older son Arjun as it’s given him a way to be involved during a difficult process.

Kids and Art co-founder Helen Leung McNamara was drawn into the organization through a family connection. Her children are friends with Shah’s son.

Together the women have watched the amazing work children can do when given a blank canvas. As a result, wonderful pieces will be on display for purchase at this weekend’s event. Art includes that created by children, family members affected by cancer and pieces donated by professional artists.

The ladies have hopes of expanding what’s offered to local families as well. For example, they recently had a booth at the Maker Faire at which children were encouraged to build with Legos. Surrounded by creative people was the perfect opportunity to meet people who create art in unique ways. Lastly, Shah hopes to create art packages to send to children who are currently at the local hospitals.

The Celebration of Life Art Auction benefiting Kids and Art will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 3 at Gallery 4N5, 863 Mission St., San Francisco. Bid on art created by kids, siblings and families touched by cancer. Enjoy music by Myriad Music, chocolates from Rachel Dunn, hors d’oeurves from Cheese Please, Dosa Republic, Draeger’s and New Delhi Restaurant. Tickets start at $50. For more information, and to get a sneak beak at the art, visit kidsandart.org. Tickets are available at www.eventbee.com/v/kidsandartorg.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by email: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.