LET'S DANCE

Sue Cavanaugh created a large fabric installation for the exhibit "Passages" at the Mansfield Art Center. She completed this work as she was dying of cancer. The work had a powerful impact on storyteller Doug Swift

By Doug Swift

[above, portrait of Sue Cavanaugh, by Eileen Woods]

In the following audio story, we attend the opening for the art show "Passages" at the Mansfield Art Center. We especially learn about Sue Cavanaugh's fabric installation "Let's Dance," which she largely worked on while she was dying from pancreatic cancer.

The circumstances under which Sue completed this piece–and other artists' works in the "Passages" collection–inspire a reflection on mortality. Storyteller Doug Swift lost his wife to ovarian cancer about a year ago. He leads the reflection.

Sue Cavanaugh wrote her own obituary, and the artists in the show think it represents Sue's personality and approach to life accurately. You can read the obit here.

To learn more about the work of the Mansfield Art Center, go here.

Participating artists Barbara Vogel and Eileen Woods stand beside their portrraits of Sue Cavanaugh, which are hung in an alcove beside Sue's self-authored obituary.

Participating artists Barbara Vogel and Eileen Woods stand beside their portrraits of Sue Cavanaugh, which are hung in an alcove beside Sue's self-authored obituary.

Jennifer Beavis, left, who does Marketing and Development for the Mansfield Art Center, used Sue's needle and assembled the installation "as Sue would have done." Executive Director George Witten was a long time friend of Sue's. He encouraged her throughout her illness.

Jennifer Beavis, left, who does Marketing and Development for the Mansfield Art Center, used Sue's needle and assembled the installation "as Sue would have done." Executive Director George Witten was a long time friend of Sue's. He encouraged her throughout her illness.

Exhibitions Chair Tim Gorka followed Sue's directions to build the armature from which the installation hangs.

Exhibitions Chair Tim Gorka followed Sue's directions to build the armature from which the installation hangs.

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Participating artists Barbara Vogel and Eileen Woods stand beside their portrraits of Sue Cavanaugh, which are hung in an alcove beside Sue's self-authored obituary.

Participating artists Barbara Vogel and Eileen Woods stand beside their portrraits of Sue Cavanaugh, which are hung in an alcove beside Sue's self-authored obituary.

Jennifer Beavis, left, who does Marketing and Development for the Mansfield Art Center, used Sue's needle and assembled the installation "as Sue would have done." Executive Director George Witten was a long time friend of Sue's. He encouraged her throughout her illness.

Jennifer Beavis, left, who does Marketing and Development for the Mansfield Art Center, used Sue's needle and assembled the installation "as Sue would have done." Executive Director George Witten was a long time friend of Sue's. He encouraged her throughout her illness.

Exhibitions Chair Tim Gorka followed Sue's directions to build the armature from which the installation hangs.

Exhibitions Chair Tim Gorka followed Sue's directions to build the armature from which the installation hangs.

Let's Dance.

Let's Dance.

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