Since Nov. 2, Survivors Inspiring Sisters Through Art & Advocacy for Health has been hosting free art workshops for men and women cancer survivors every Monday and Thursday in November. Participates can expect to participate jewelry-making, painting, collage assemblage and much more. Founder of SISTAAH, Wilhelmina Obatala Grant, started the nonprofit organization in 2014 to promote healthy living and host informational activities about breast cancer and proper medical assistance. SISTAAH also mentors local aspiring artists and host series of Open Your Eyes artistic projects in Washington Heights from local artists. The organization also hosts events with other community-based programs.
“I am blessed that I can say I am a cancer survivor and an advocator for healthy living,” Grant stated. “It is my goal to share my experience with others who may be experiencing what I did. It is my goal to inform my community as much as I can.”
She was formally the director of community outreach for SHARE, Self-Help for Women With Breast or Ovarian Cancer, and the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
She also published her first book, “A Feeling of Fullness: Insights of Divinely Guided Journey Beyond Breast Cancer,” this past year. Her book discusses her experience with cancer and offers tips about health.
Grant received numerous awards such as Senator Bill Perkins’ 2010 Women’s History Month Award Celebrating the Creative Power of Women, the Spirit of Hope’s Spirit of Survivorship Award and the Celebrating Life Foundation’s Annie Lou Lewis Survivorship Award.
The art studio is located in Washington Heights near public transportation. The workshop time and location will be provided to participants once they have registered. SISTAAH recommends that interested people reserve as soon as possible because seats are limited. For more information, please contact Wilhelmina Grant at sistaahstudio@gmail.com.