Special survivor exhibit at FMAAA in July

FORT MADISON - Visual images and auditory expressions of a raw human experience have powerful impact on us.   The video and performance work by Cherie Sampson involving her own storytelling processes offer a profound impact of their own. From cancer diagnosis through the conclusion of treatment and surgery, Sampson, a performance artist, recorded material that became the basis for every.single.one. allowing her to confront and work through her cancer diagnosis and treatment in a familiar way, and on her own terms. This exhibition, on display July 1 through July 25, includes still images from performance, along with award-winning audio-visual material projected in the Main Gallery at the FMAAA Art Center located at 825 Avenue G in Fort Madison, IA. This exhibition and a workshop for people affected by cancer being offered on Friday, July 11 was made possible by the generous underwriting by Charles (Chuck) and Kathy Osmanski.

Cherie Sampson is a Professor in the School of Visual Studies at the University of Missouri, teaching in the Art and Digital Storytelling programs. She received her MFA in Intermedia and Video Art from the University of Iowa in 1997. Sampson applied to this program inspired by the performance work of Ana Mendieta from works originating in the Body Sculpture series from the Intermedia program founded in the 1960’s by Hans Breder. Indeed, a canvas print of a Body Sculpture image by Breder of Mendieta appears in this exhibition providing a throughline to their pioneering work.

The title of this exhibition is from a social media response to some posts Sampson made of herself during cancer treatment. Sampson relates in her Artist Statement about this exhibition, “In 2017, when I posted images on social media of a photographic series shot in an apple orchard in springtime of my body made hairless from chemotherapy, a friend and ovarian cancer survivor commented, “Every. Single. One. Of us who has been with this disease is validated, loved and to a certain extent, freed by this image.” (Ann Miller Titus). Sampson continues, “My friend’s comment is universal because every single one of us either knows people whose lives have been impacted by cancer, or we have experienced it ourselves.”

Sampson began documenting her cancer process in audio-visual material from the moment the phone call from the radiologist came in informing her of the diagnosis of breast cancer in February 2017. She had anticipated that the tumor might be cancer because her sister had been diagnosed twice by that time. With that knowledge, she prepared herself to receive the diagnosis findings, and to record it. She did so to ensure she had a record to reference with more clarity when the emotional noise of the diagnosis cleared. Also, to have all the pieces of material she might need to work through her reactions to the life-changing news through her art, giving her back some agency.

That documentation evolved into a one-woman theatrical performance, also titled “every.single.one” by Sampson depicting personal, familial and community stories with hereditary cancer while exploring topics of science, genetics, integrative oncology and healing from the patient’s perspective of modern medicine.  The media she compiled contributes to the audio-visual environment of the performance integral to her storytelling. “every.single.one” interweaves three levels of testimonial – Sampson’s own, her sister’s, and that of hereditary cancer survivors and previvors – people who take prophylactic measures to prevent cancer when they have a known genetic risk. The project draws from ethnographic research, lived experience, field notes, and scientific data to create a dramatic and varied interpretation of both a deeply personal and universal experience. This provided Sampson with a means to process the life-altering ordeal to, in the words of Black feminist poet Audre Lorde, “examine it, put it into perspective, share it and make use of it.” 

Recent performances of "every.single.one" have been presented in at CEC Theater in Columbia, MO, the Goldman Theater at the Edlavitch JCC in Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Fringe Festival, the 20th Annual Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) at the Banff Center for Arts & Creativity, in Canada and for the Midwest Women in the Arts Symposium (MWAS) at Bradley University.

Many of the works in this exhibition represent the media components that make up the projection and sound design for the live "every.single.one" performance in the form of short films and soundscapes. Several of the videos can exist outside of the theatrical setting as stand-alone artworks that can and have been exhibited in international film, video and screendance (dance-for-camera) festivals and art exhibitions.

Sampson has exhibited and performed extensively as an artist. She is the recipient of many awards and grants including a Puffin Foundation Grant, two Fulbright Fellowships (Finland), a Finnish Cultural Foundation Grant, multiple university research grants, including funding from University of Missouri Ellis Fischel Cancer Center to support the every.single.one project. In addition to her creative work, Sampson serves as a patient advocate in several organizations: the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), Facing our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE), and the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (BCRP). Sampson recently participated in a discussion panel with three other members of the Society for Integrative Oncology at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, held in Chicago from May 30 – June 3, 2025.

In addition to the exhibition this month, the FMAAA Art Center is pleased to host a workshop on Friday, July 11, 9am to noon by Cherie Sampson for those affected by cancer.

 

This workshop is designed to empower you to become your own patient advocate in a clinical setting. Our discussion will draw attention to the importance of personalized narrative medicine and understanding how to share your own story with a practitioner.  Artist and cancer survivor, Cheryl Sampson, will screen shot excerpts from the “every.single.one” performance that documents her interactions with the medical profession from diagnosis and treatment. This will provide the jumping off point for you to engage with some personal writing of your own. All materials provided along with refreshments for this three-hour workshop. Advance registration required. To register, please go to www.FortMadisonArt.com and find this workshop on the Classes tab.