Bras to support cancer victims
So far, Braden has received 12 painted bras but expects to have over 40 before the project ends in September.
A local artist’s passion for art and desire to heighten breast cancer awareness has resulted in an outpouring of love and support for the Painted Bra Art Project.
A little over two weeks ago, Anna Braden, a self-described whimsical painter, was sitting in front of her computer checking out her Facebook page.
“I came across a post regarding Breast Cancer awareness that encouraged Facebook users to “re-post” to heighten awareness of this issue,” Braden explains. “The more I thought about that post, I felt there must be something that is more effective to heighten awareness than just a posting on a social media site.”
It was during that moment that Braden got the idea of painting one of her bras and posting a photo of it on her Facebook page with this message: “Ta Dah! I painted this bra to raise awareness for breast cancer! This bra is dedicated to all those whose lives have been affected by breast cancer. I challenge and encourage all my friends to paint a bra. Let’s have an online exhibit to raise breast cancer awareness…”
Her simple posting got amazing response, with approximately forty artists in the Madison County area responding that they wanted to paint a bra for the project as well.
“Things just started happening really fast and the interest and support has been amazing,” Braden says.
Braden quickly designed a special Facebook Page for the Painted Bra Art Project which to date has over 521 fans. She has heard from artists from all over the United States and even foreign countries offering to create a painted bra for the project.
“We even have people who don’t really consider themselves artist or even paint participating because they are so inspired by the project,” Braden says.
Hilary Gould, who is a member of the Book Club Braden attends has never painted before, but was so inspired by the project, decided to get involved. “I joined this project as a whim. I am not an artist, but kind of creative.
Maybe it was because there where no specific rules to follow, but once I started painting the rest of the world fell away.
There were no judges, no expectations, just this cool thing I was creating,” Gould says. “This project reawakened some kind of creative juices that have been dormant.”
Another artist from Australia contacted Braden to let her know he was inspired by the project and would be participating. She has three other men, including her husband Gary, an artist himself, participating in the project as well.
This isn’t Braden’s first fundraiser for an important cause. She also spearheaded the Art Auction for Alabama Relief Effort for those needing help after the April tornado.
Area artists donated artwork, paintings, jewelry, sculptures and more to raise money for the relief effort. Over $6,300 was raised for the American Red Cross.
Braden plans to auction off all of the bras online with the money raised going to cancer research. So far she has received 14 painted bras but expects to have over 40 before the project ends in September.
She will present a check to a cancer research organization during the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Braden is hoping the effort will raise over $3,000 for cancer research.
Braden encourages anyone who would like to get involved to contact her through their Facebook Page at The Painted Bra Art Project. “If I really believe in a worthwhile cause, I am not shy about asking people to support it,” Braden says.
