WE ARE LOOKING FOR ARTISTS…
I wanted to share information about a very profound event – the 18th Annual SASS (Sexual Abuse Survivor’s Art Show); The SASS is a multi-dimensional project featuring the art, music, poetry etc. of sexual and domestic violence abuse survivors. The show offers a safe space for survivors to exhibit the creative works they have completed as a part of the healing process and provides a culturally and socially enriching experience for the public.

Now in its eighteenth year, SASS is an annual showcase of the healing power of art for survivors of abuse and is implemented through FEGS - L.I.F.E (Living in Fair Environments) Programs. In the past we’ve been fortunate to display artwork from all over the world.

For any questions, please feel free to contact me (Holly Beck) at hbeck@fegs.org or call 631-264-2915 x302. For artists’ agreement please see our website: www.fegs.org/sasshow - any questions please contact me.

Workshops Include:

October 16, 2009

9:30 am-11:00 am - Sexual Abuse & Domestic Violence – Strategies for Working with Survivors – Aileen Hoffman, LCSW and Gina Ryan, LCSW, FEGS Health and Human Services System

11:15 am-12:45 pm- Herstory Writer’s Workshop, Inc. – Using Memoire in Healing - Lonnie Mathis, Herstory Writers Workshop

1:15pm-2:45pm – Anatomy of a Doll – One Women Show – Terri Muuss

3:00pm-4:30pm – Use of Art in Healing – Working with Child and Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence – Bobbie Kaufman, ATRBC

I’m currently working on making the panels to display the mural pieces in, and photos of the work in progress will be available soon! For anyone who is planning to participate, please note that the Mural Project PO Box address has recently changed. I look forward to hearing from you!

Collectively, I think mural is already turning into something amazing and powerful. Be sure to check out the second page of the gallery!

Welcome to the Survivor Mural Project blog. My name is Kristy, and I am a survivor of sexual abuse and rape. I recently initiated the Survivor Mural Project, which aims to raise global awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault. The project provides all survivors with an opportunity to be heard.

The idea behind the mural project was inspired by the members of Pandora’s Project Inc, a non-profit organization dedicated to offering peer support and resources to survivors of sexual violence, and their friends and family.

As one of the Directors/moderators of Pandy’s, I am often both amazed and saddened by the sheer number of people who sign up to the message board for support every day. It’s humbling and inspiring to be part of a community that helps survivors to feel connected and less alone with their healing struggles (and triumphs!), but it often prompts me to reflect on those survivors around the world who don’t have access to these types of resources. I wanted to find a way to reach out to all survivors, regardless of where they’re from, and what level of access they have to support, and demonstrate that they are really not alone.

Although many survivors struggle with feeling isolated, there are millions of survivors of sexual violence throughout the world. Information and statistics on the prevalence of sexual violence can be accessed on the following websites:

The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network

Worldwide Sexual Assault Statistics factsheet

We all hear about the violence that is occurring in the world every day, but it’s easy to become desensitized to what it really means. Raw statistical data often feels abstract because the numbers are incomprehensible and overwhelming. I envision the mural project to be a powerful visual representation of the vast numbers of people who have experienced any form of sexual assault in our global community.

Although the Mural Project is still in the very early stages, I’m already so inspired by the mural pieces that survivors have submitted and I am excited to see it evolve into something significant.

Don’t forget to bookmark this blog and check back often for updates to the gallery. The success of this project relies on YOU. Thank you for helping bring it to life!