But I learn as much from the patients as they learn from me. I'm grateful that they would let me in during this difficult time in their lives. Volpe earned a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the University of the Arts in 1994. With this as her goal, she created an art program at the Cancer Center earlier this year. One challenge Volpe faces in her new role is getting people to feel comfortable and confident enough to experiment with art.
People think they have to focus on an end product, and they get intimidated.
I put the emphasis on the process. But then we talked a lot and got to know each other on a personal basis, ans now we're doing wonderful, artistic things. A Christmas card with an intricate design of poinsettia and ivy leaves and a clay ornament drying on Snyder's windowsill are evidence of the collaboration. It's called 'Beehive,' and it's going to be very expensive. Snyder dissolves into laughter.