Art helping to heal

Marisa O’Neil

A Newport Harbor High School senior will celebrate “The Art of Youth”

with a student art show on Friday benefiting a children’s cancer

center.

More than 100 paintings, drawings, sculptures and photographs will

be displayed at the show organized by 17-year-old Matthew Siemonsma.

The event is the first put on by his nonprofit organization and

school club, Community for a Cure, which he formed earlier last year

to benefit the cancer center at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

“I feel there’s not enough community support in this area,”

Matthew said. “People don’t think about what’s happening outside

their own lives.”

Seeing a 5-year-old family friend suffer the effects of leukemia,

Matthew was moved to help other children with cancer. He decided to

use his passion for art to raise money for the cause.

Newport-Mesa high school students, and a few from elementary

schools, entered several works in the show, he said. As he geared up

for the show, Matthew’s house filled with small, ceramic dinosaurs,

colorful paintings and stacks of mounted black and white photographs.

“I’m really into art,” he said. “I think all forms of art are

something we, as humans, can do to express our thoughts.”

On Friday, he and members of the club will set up the artwork for

the show at Newport Harbor High School. The $5 entry and $3 admission

fee will go to CHOC.

Club member Jacque Stieve, 14, doesn’t have any artwork entered,

but is helping organize the show. The freshman said that she joined

the club because she was looking for one that was more than just an

excuse to socialize after school.

“A lot of clubs at school are more just fun to go and hang out

at,” she said. “But this one actually does something and gives back

to the community. Not many teenagers -- especially seniors -- want to

give back to the community.”

After Matthew, who is captain of his rowing team, graduates this

year, his brother and sister -- twins Brian and Taren -- will make

sure it continues. Plans include making copies of artwork to brighten

cancer patient’s hospital rooms.

* MARISA O’NEIL covers education. She may be reached at (949)

574-4268 or by e-mail at marisa.oneil@latimes.com.