Glass, Arts and More launches GoFundMe campaign to raise money to offer free classes to cancer patients.

NEEDHAM, MASS. - Glass, Arts and More is a local glass studio owned and operated by mother-daughter team, Sheryl Scipione and Jordan Fuller, both cancer survivors. In 2011, amidst their battles with stage-two Burkitt’s Lymphona and stage-four thyroid cancer, the two started creating glass artwork and found relief in bringing beauty to life. Two years later, Scipione and Fuller opened their first studio called Arte Mozzafiato (Breathtaking Art) in Gorse Mill with the intention of sharing the therapeutic benefits they found by creating glass art with the community.

“At first I wanted to offer classes specifically to cancer patients,” said Fuller. “We started creating art right around the time I had lost a good friend of mine to Rhabdomysosarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. I found that {making glass art] really helped me get my mind off my sadness and I started focusing on creating beauty instead. And as time went on, we got better, and I realized you don’t have to be sick to experience the same relaxing qualities that we found in creating art. That’s when we started teaching workshops.”

Teaching workshops and hosting parties has allowed Scipione and Fuller to give, not just those burdened by disease, but everyone an opportunity to step away from the stress of life. Though, they started specifically with cancer patients in mind, Scipione and Fuller strive to deliver an escape to all, by focusing one’s mind on self-expression rather than whatever it is that keeps him or her up at night; even if only for a couple of hours.

Scipione and Fuller would like to get to a place of financial stability that allows them to offer free classes to cancer patients and others inflicted by serious diseases at institutes such as the Jimmy Fund, and Dana Farber, where they received treatment.

The two have planned on launching the campaign for several years, and even created the video and website in 2014, but never had the courage to go live.

“Asking people, complete strangers, for help is intimidating. I guess a big part of it was fear of being vulnerable. But, we finally realized it was time,” said Scipione. “This is our mission, and it’s not going to be successful without the help of our community.”

Scipione and Fuller have their goal set at $8,500. They are asking for $5,500 to cover the cost of a larger kiln and installation. The kiln will give more people the opportunity to create fused glass art. $2,000 for fusing glass, tools and supplies to get everybody moving on the journey, and $1,000 for marketing and advertising to reach as many people as possible.

Sheryl and Jordan have a big goal to help a lot of people, and are looking to the community for help spreading the word joining them on their mission.

The campaign is now live and donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/pickupthepieces. For more information, contact Sheryl at (617) 688-2191, glassartsandmore@gmail.com, or visit www.glassartsandmore.com.