Seneca Place Gallery

Located at 130 East Seneca St, Ithaca NY, at the Hilton Garden Inn. Enter through Hilton Garden Inn front entrance.

Barb Soyka: Pouring My Arts Out

https://www.pouringmyartsout.com/

I was diagnosed with stage IV cancer 15 years ago—one in 5 million with the rare Retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma. I’ve endured over 100 tumors, 3+ years of chemotherapy, 8 surgeries, 13 years of chronic pain, and was told death was imminent six times. I’ve lost a husband, friends, and a career in IT.

BUT today, I claim victory and joy.

Art and design have been lifelong passions, but treatment left me unable to continue making jewelry. Five years ago, I turned to acrylic paint pouring—a fusion of art and science. By mixing acrylics with additives, I create vibrant abstract art that brings me peace and purpose.

I also craft Kinusaiga, a Japanese fiber art using folded fabric tucked into styrofoam to make colorful fabric paintings. Both mediums offer healing and joy, and sharing them with others has become deeply meaningful.

Today, I am tumor-free and thriving.

If you’re facing something hard right now, gather your courage and make the changes you need. The outcome may be more beautiful than you imagined.

They say unicorns don’t exist—yet here I am.

To help hope thrive, you must feed it well. So pull yourself up to life’s table and feast… because today is a great day!