Nanci Hersh, RECIPIENT OF THE 2006 ZIG AWARD

NOMINATOR'S STATEMENT
About 5 years ago, Nanci was diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery and underwent treatment to successfully overcome that battle. This experience might have made other people want to spend the rest of their lives under their blankets, or made them into victims or martyrs. Nanci embraced her cancer experience and uses it as a source of creative energy, which sounds cliched, except that she does it with beauty, grace and humor. As a professional artist (Nanci also teaches printmaking and displays her work locally and in various other places) she created the image of the chrysalis used for the Art of Survival art exhibit two years ago and she also curated the exhibit this past year http://www.herspacebreast.com/artofsurvival.

Now Nanci's chrysalis has evolved into a butterfly. Nanci has just completed illustrations for a book that will help children understand what's going on and how to cope when a friend or family member has cancer. There's a butterfly image that recurs throughout the book's illustrations. Nanci's cousin Ellen McVicker wrote the text. They plan to launch the book this autumn, and to make it available to physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers, art therapists, etc as well as to the public.

Nanci has a glow about her. She radiates life and tries to help others facing whatever obstacles. She is someone I go to when I have a problem. She has a calmness about her that probably derives from her meditation and yoga practice, but she also exudes an energy and openness that are tangible as well. And cancer is not the sole focus of her art - she has a wide range, from prints made from her children's baby clothes to art done on wooden tree sections. Some of Nanci's artwork can be viewed at http://www.nancihersh.com. Nanci is the mother of two young boys and is married to Scott Dight.

2008 The Zig Award Recipient

2007 The Zig Award Recipient

2005 The Zig Award Recipient

2004 The Zig Award Recipient