Twistshops
Welcome
“Twistshops” are art therapy-focused workshops that promote healing, relaxation and emotional recovery through art therapy based interventions that are designed to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress related to cancer.
Twistshops welcome individuals who have been touched by cancer to engage in art therapy based workshops that focus on utilizing the arts as a mechanism for healing.
Download Our Information Booklet
Survivors, caregivers and previvors are invited to participate. Participants will be guided by a licensed art therapist through a variety of art-making activities that will allow participants to process their past and current experiences as a patient, caregiver or supporter of someone with cancer. Through storytelling and mindful art-making, the intention is to help participants explore different emotions, and in turn revive self, heal and find ways to move forward.
Twist Out Cancer is committed to offering our programming free of charge for cancer survivors, patients, caregivers and family members. If you’re in a position to make a tax deductible contribution to support our work, please feel free to do so. We are so grateful for our community that supports us in so many ways.
Questions? Contact Jacqueline Carmody at jacqueline@twistoutcancer.
December Virtual Twistshop: Winter Solstice
Thursday Dec 18, 2025 06:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Facilitated by: Twist Out Cancer facilitator & art therapist, Callie (Cullinan) Ludwig, LPCC-S, LPAT, ATR-BC
Theme: Winter Solstice – exploring rituals, traditions, and difficult emotions of the season
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year — a powerful symbol of hope, renewal, and the slow return of light. In this Twistshop, we’ll draw on themes of the Solstice to explore how rituals and traditions can offer comfort and a sense of control during uncertain times, such as a cancer diagnosis. Through art making, we will create winter scenes that reflect both the beauty of the season and the complex emotions it can bring.
Materials:
- Drawing/Watercolor paper
- Oil/chalk pastels
- Watercolors
- Markers/Crayons
- Collage materials; scissors, magazines, glue, etc.
Twist Out Cancer Art Journal Club Twistshop Series Session 1: Exploring Amazement of Mycelium
Join Twist Out Cancer community and art therapist and facilitator, Mignon Dupepe for a new Twistshop Art Journal Club series starting in 2026! This series is inspired by author, Suleika Jaouad’s book The Book of Alchemy. We will use art making, journaling, and discussion to stir our creativity and connect around themes shared in her book. Suleika offers storytelling, writing prompts, and journaling for self- discovery and to spark imagination.
Our Twistshop series will provide a “twist” to this idea by including an art making component. The first Art Journal Club will highlight The Book of Alchemy’s storyteller, Fernando Murillo and his amazement of mycelium, the underground fungal network that sustains and enhances life. He proposes that we are not alone but we are mycelium, connected, a network that creates and sustains life and growth. We will explore this idea using art processes, zine making, journaling and discussion. No art or journaling experience required, just an interest in creating and connecting as a community.
When: Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 06:30 PM CST / 7:30 EST
Supplies to be considered:
8×11 white copy paper or art paper
Scissors
Glue stick
Colorful marker/pens/oil pastels
Collage papers/magazines
A suggested donation of $10-25 is recommended to cover program fees and art therapist facilitation.
A suggested donation of $10-25 is recommended to cover program fees and art therapist facilitation.
Twist Out Cancer Art Journal Club Twistshop Series Session 2: Anchoring Through Uncertainty and Cloud Exploration
Join Twist Out Cancer community and art therapist and facilitator, Mignon Dupepe for a new Twistshop Art Journal Club series starting in 2026! This series is inspired by author, Suleika Jaouad’s book The Book of Alchemy. We will use art making, journaling, and discussion to stir our creativity and connect around themes shared in her book. Suleika offers storytelling, writing prompts, and journaling for self- discovery and to spark imagination.
Our Twistshop series will provide a “twist” to this idea by including an art making component. The second Art Journal Club will highlight The Book of Alchemy’s storyteller, Rebecca Rebouche’ and her cloud examination and grounding “This is me” present statements towards anchoring in all-encompassing emotional moments. We will explore this idea using art processes, cloud imagery, journaling, and discussion. No art or journaling experience required, just an interest in creating and connecting as a community.
When: Thursday, February 26, 2026, 6:30 PM CST/7:30 EST
Supplies to be considered:
Heavy paper or art paper
Watercolor paints/palette
Watercolor brush/water
Colorful markers/crayons/oil pastels
In person: RUSH Lisle Twistshop Series
Join Twist Out Cancer and RUSH Lisle for a monthly arts therapy workshop with art therapist and Twistshop facilitator, Mignon Dupepe.
When: Thursdays every month from 10-11:15am CST
- June 12th
- July 10th
- August 21st
- September 11th
- October 9th
- November 13th
- December 11th
Where: RUSH Lisle
2455 Corporate W Dr, Lisle, IL 60532
Series will be held in the atrium.
Who: survivors, caregivers, patients, healthcare professionals, and previvors. This series is open to the community and individuals seeking treatment at any RUSH locations.
Questions? Contact Jacqueline Carmody at jacqueline@twistoutcancer.
Space is limited, please register for each monthly session to attend. Twistshop Dates: June 6, July 11, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5, January 9, February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1
In person: RUSH Twistshop Series
Join Twist Out Cancer and RUSH Cancer Center for a monthly arts therapy workshop with art therapist and Twistshop Director, Jacqueline Carmody.
When: First Friday of every month at 10-11:15am CST
Where: Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building
1520 W. Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607
Room Number: Supportive Oncology Suite (4th Floor)
Who: survivors, caregivers, patients, healthcare professionals, and previvors. This series is open to the community and individuals seeking treatment at any RUSH locations.
Questions? Contact Jacqueline Carmody at jacqueline@twistoutcancer.
Space is limited, please register for each monthly session to attend. Twistshop Dates: January 2, February 6, March 6, April 3, May 1, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4
In-person: OSF Little Company of Mary Twistshop Series
Join Twist Out Cancer and OSF Little Company of Mary for a monthly arts therapy workshop with art therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor, Jacqueline Carmody.
When: The first Thursday of every month in 2025 from 10:15am-11:30am
Where: OSF Little Company of Mary Cancer Center Librar 2800 W. 95th Street 1st Floor, South Pavilion Evergreen Park, IL 60805
This series is open to the public.
This series will introduce you to new and exciting art making techniques to promote social connection, relaxation and healing. All art materials are included!
Free Monthly Sessions available to OSF Little Company of Mary patients and families starting January 2, 2025!
Questions? Contact Jacqueline Carmody at jacqueline@twistoutcancer.org or Donna Reed at Donna.S.Reed@osfhealthcare.org
Jacqueline Carmody, Director
Jacqueline Carmody is a Twist Out Cancer Board Member, Brushes with Cancer Artist, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Board Certified Art Therapist. Jaqueline will be running our signature Twistshop programs with a team of talented clinicians and is excited to bring this unique program to the community!
“My goal as an art therapist is to provide a safe space for everyone and offer them guidance in exploring different emotions that develop throughout their experience. What typically transpires is an evening filled with art making, bonding, and camaraderie.”
