Providence Cancer Center hosts paintings by Jim Coe

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Providence Cancer Center will host an art show from 10 a. m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 16, featuring paintings by local artist Jim Coe as part of an event to encourage Alaskans to get screened for colorectal cancer. The paintings will be available for viewing through Saturday, Sept. 23.

In the fall of 2021, Jim was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer. He had experienced symptoms for months before the diagnosis but was hesitant to get screened.

“I never thought this would happen to me in my life,” he said. “I thought that, just like all of us, I’ve been invincible.”

As his cancer progressed to stage 4 and he entered his second round of treatment, Jim returned to something he has always enjoyed – art. He began capturing his cancer journey through a series of paintings.

“Art has always been a part of my life. I’ve been into art for as long as I can remember,” said Jim. “But for those who know me well, they know I don’t take myself too seriously, and I’ve never taken my art too seriously, either.”

As part of his fight to beat cancer, Jim chose art as a way to share his life challenge and hopefully encourage others to get screened for colorectal cancer.

“It’s my most personal way to share feelings and emotion with people. That’s what the painting is doing for me,” he added. “I do have this message about self-care — this idea that you don’t need to die of colon cancer — that needs to be shared.”

The event is free and open to the public.