Shelly Floyd + Pink Alliance

The SEAD Gallery in Downtown Bryan is currently exhibiting the enchanting acrylic art of Shelly Floyd. Floyd, a native Texan, has been interested in art from a young age. She has worked with many different art mediums from oil, water, and spray paints to sculpting and woodwork, but she has found her own unique style of painting with acrylic mediums. Floyd’s unusual technique is both captivating and complex. The process which goes into creating one of Floyd’s masterpieces is quite distinct as well. She goes into a piece only having the colors in mind and from there she allows the piece to, essentially, create itself. Floyd describes her art as “free minded and goes with the flow,” much like herself. Floyd’s intention is to evoke deep emotions so that her viewers can experience her art the way it is meant to be experienced; free with no restrictions or preconceptions.

A unique aspect of being a featured artist at SEAD is being able to donate to a charity of their choice. Each artist exhibited at SEAD is offered the choice to raffle off a piece of art to benefit a local charity. Floyd chose to raffle off a piece of art, sized 16×16 and below, of the winners choosing and all of the proceeds directly benefited Pink Alliance, a breast cancer research and support group in the Brazos Valley. Pink Alliance specifically played a significant role in diagnosing Shelly’s mother, so she felt it only appropriate to give back to them. Pink Alliance holds a very special place in Floyd’s heart as breast cancer has affected her family dramatically. Her grandmother, mother and sister have all been diagnosed with breast cancer. Floyd’s grandmother was diagnosed at the very early age of 27 and back then treatment was very aggressive and destructive. There was also no emotional support for her or her family. Now fast forwarding to today, research, treatment and support have come a very long way. Floyd’s mother was diagnosed and treated only a year ago. Her mother’s’ experience was much different from her grandmothers even though their cancer was the same. Floyd described her mother’s experience; “From the knowledge of the doctors to the support she received before, during and after her procedure was organized, heartfelt and patient”. Her sister is currently still going through treatment. Though the road is long, her faith is unwavering, especially with the support from Pink Alliance.

Pink Alliance’s mission statement states: “Pink Alliance serves as the Brazos Valley’s advocate for breast health and cancer support by providing reliable, informative resources; inspiring hope through individual and group support; and offering access to medical treatments for those with limited means.  All board members and volunteers provide services to the community without compensation.” Pink Alliance gives so much to the Bryan/College Station community without asking anything in return. They provide a huge service to the women in the community including: providing educational tools for those recently diagnosed, paying insurance deductibles and copayments so patients can continue treatment, offer free mammograms for uninsured women and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds and biopsies for those in financial need whose initial mammogram showed cause for concern, have support group meetings twice a month to hear each others stories and hear from guest speakers and so much more. Pink Alliance was started 10 years ago by five local breast cancer survivors and has helped many Texas women since their inception.

Shelly’s opening night was a huge success. The raffle raised over $200 for Pink Alliance Brazos Valley. And the lucky winner of one of Shelly’s beautiful and unique pieces, was Doris Light, the president of Pink Alliance. Floyd’s “Fluidity” exhibit will be on display until July 15. For more information regarding Pink Alliance, please visit their website at pinkalliance.org.