JUNE 27, 2003 | New paintings in the Arkansas Cancer Research Center (ACRC) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) evoke the serenity of a Southern garden.

The five large paintings by Gay Bechtelheimer of El Dorado, Arkansas, hang on the first floor of the ACRC, opposite the ACRC Gift Shop. They were a gift of Betsy Blass of Little Rock; James Suen, M.D., director of the ACRC; UAMS Chancellor I. Dodd Wilson, M.D.; and Ronda Henry-Tillman, M.D., director of cancer control for ACRC, who purchased a commission of Mrs. Bechtelheimer at the 2002 ACRC Auxiliary’s Cooks Tour. The proceeds of their purchase went to the Cole Bechtelheimer General Research Endowment Fund at ACRC. Cole Bechtelheimer was a neuro-oncology patient at ACRC.

After receiving the commission, Mrs. Bechtelheimer traveled to Bellingrath Gardens at Theodore, Alabama, for inspiration. She explained later that she immediately knew the paintings should be realistic—to make it easier for the patients, staff and volunteers to “venture into the garden.”

About 150 ACRC supporters attended a recent unveiling of the paintings. Chancellor Wilson, Dr. Suen; Ralph Sanderson, Ph.D., ACRC director of basic research; Mark Linskey, M.D., and Carol Anthony of El Dorado presided over the unveiling.