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News-Sun photo by SAMANTHA GHOLAR Breast cancer survivors and supporters created bust molds that are currently on display at Brewsters Coffee House in Sebring. Women of all ages and backgrounds volunteered to make the molds to share their individual stories in the battle against breast cancer.

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published: Sunday, November 11, 2012

Brewster's exhibit showcases body molds to support breast cancer awareness

BY SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

SEBRING -- "These are humbling stories. To hear how brave these women are is just amazing," said Bruce Rogers, owner of Brewster's Coffee House at 2191 North US 27 in Sebring.

Rogers has created a unique, and uncomfortable, display of artwork which now is being displayed in the coffee shop to break the silence around breast cancer.

"I wanted to do something that was different. Something that was a little more bold, a little out of the box," said Rogers. "You know breast cancer isn't always the pretty picture that is displayed on the magazine covers and I want people to get that."

The shop owner first began his mission to pay tribute to those who have won -- and lost -- the battle with breast cancer. Rogers first got the idea to have a non-traditional breast cancer campaign in the summer when he learned that one of his employee's father was diagnosed with cancer back in July.

"His was lung cancer. I saw how much it affected her. I had several friends this year diagnosed with different types of cancer. Many of them didn't even know it. That's the scariest part about cancer. We all admire the beautiful woman walking down the beach in her bikini looking pretty and perfect, but we don't know her story. She may not even know her story. You could very well be a walking time bomb," Rogers explained.

With his mission in hand, Rogers set out to recruit local models and artists who have been touched by breast cancer to create a campaign that will highlight their struggles and victories.

After seeing a body mold of a pregnant friend, Rogers knew just what to do to create unique artwork that will also show breast cancer support and awareness.

With the help of six models and local artist, Rogers created the first annual Brewster's Breast Cancer Awareness Exhibit. Models were cast by local artist Krista Flores. Each of the women's breast and tummy were molded, similar to the pregnancy molds, then dried and hand painted by local artists.

The artists were asked by Rogers to "create whatever comes to you" by using the different stories of each of the models. The artists went to work creating one-of-a-kind artwork to go along with the touching stories of each of the women.

The busts were hand painted and now hang on display inside Brewster's Coffee House to continue the awareness of the disease beyond the traditional awareness month.

Brewster's currently is working with the local Samaritan's Touch organization to raise money to help women with the cost of mammograms. Any donations for the cause may be given directly to Samaritan's Touch.

"I'm going to leave them up indefinitely; as far as I know I haven't gotten any complaints. We don't have to go to New York or California to enjoy culture and art. Who says culture and art can't be right here in little old Sebring, Florida?" Rogers said. "Women don't have to suffer in silence. I don't feel it's anything to be ashamed of. Is it a little bit uncomfortable, yes. But I feel like that's the way it should be sometimes."