PRESS RELEASE: Pulitzer Nominated SCAR Project Exhibit Will Make Cincinnati Debut In October

The SCAR Project Cincinnati Planning Committee to host open house cocktail party fundraiser to finance the exhibition, which will benefit a local cancer center and breast cancer research.

Photography by David Jay

www.thescarproject.org

Cincinnati, OH May 11, 2011: The SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit Planning Committee would like to extend an invitation to an open house cocktail party fundraiser and SCAR Project informational meeting, to area breast cancer doctors, organizations, survivors, caregivers, and others interested in helping bring this important, Pulitzer nominated exhibit to Cincinnati. The SCAR Project is a series of large-scale portraits of young women with breast cancer shot by fashion photographer David Jay. It puts a raw, unflinching face on early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many brave young women. The fundraiser event will be Friday, May 20, 2011, from 5:30-8:30 pm at Art Design Consultants at 310 Culvert St. 5th Fl. Cincinnati, OH 45202. Cincinnati survivor/model Vanessa Tiemeier will speak about her experience being photographed for The SCAR Project.

"I think sometimes I am so good at
putting on a pretty face and acting all
put-together that some people don't
realize the extent of everything that
breast cancer survivors go through.
My outward scars and spoken words
are only half the story."
-Vanessa Tiemeier, Cincinnati Survivor

The SCAR Project subjects range from ages 18 to 35 and represent the, often overlooked, group of young women living with breast cancer. (Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in young women ages 15-40). They journey from across America and the world to be photographed for The SCAR Project. More than 100 women have been photographed so far.

Vanessa and her husband took a Greyhound bus from Cincinnati to New York City to be part of The SCAR Project. Besides having her picture selected as one of the 30 in the exhibit, she is on the SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit planning committee, with fellow survivors Shelly Emrick and Joules Evans, and Art Design Consultants owner Litsa Spanos, who has graciously donated her space, time, and energy to host the event.

“I love what this show will do for our city,” said Spanos. “It will increase awareness and portray strong beautiful women. There is also the true artistic power of it as well. I believe all viewers will have the same reaction that I had when I first saw the images. I was shocked, then moved, then wanted to learn even more. It’s incredibly meaningful. Also, because of the large and dramatic size and scale of the exhibit, along with the natural light and high ceilings of the gallery, it’s a perfect fit.”

The SCAR Project Cincinnati exhibit will debut on the heels of the Cincinnati Race for the Cure, on the cusp of breast cancer awareness month, and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. The opening night gala event will be a ticketed event and will benefit a local cancer center and breast cancer research. The exhibit will be open for public viewing throughout the weekend of Sept. 30 – Oct. 2 with general admission pricing and times TBA. There will also be private gallery tours with photographer David Jay, dates and times TBA. Tickets and info will be made available on the Scar Project Cincinnati blog at www.thescarprojectcincy.blogspot.com.

David Jay has been shooting fashion and beauty professionally for over 15 years. His images have appeared in a multitude of international magazines and advertising campaigns. Like so many others personally touched by the disease, Jay was inspired to act when a dear friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. Like the subjects themselves, Jay’s stark, bold portraits challenge traditional perceptions of the disease and capture the raw beauty, strength and character of so many extraordinary young women. Each portrait represents a singular, stripped-down vision of the life-changing journey that unites them all.

Dedicated to the more than 10,000 women under the age of 40 who will be diagnosed this year alone, The SCAR Project is an exercise in awareness, hope, reflection and healing. The mission is three-fold: Raise public consciousness of early-onset breast cancer, raise funds for breast cancer research/outreach programs and help young survivors see their scars, faces, figures and experiences through a new, honest and ultimately empowering lens.

Contact: Joules Evans 
SCAR Project Cincinnati Exhibit Promoter
Planning Committee Lead
joules@joulesevans.com
Phone 513-265-4063