2021 Reclaiming Voices Survivor Art Show
you are a bad girl
Vicki
At 5 1/2, I shared what happened to me to a trusted adult. I was told "You are a bad girl and don't you ever say anything like that ever again." So when others touched and abused me, I never said a word. (new line) Until 17 years into my marriage; the repressed memories began surfacing. (new line) Even in the darkness of abuse, God's stars of hope are shining. God's light and truth dispel the darkness of my abuses.
i am
Anonymous
Untitled
Anonymous
Mama otter
Mary Anne
As I settled down to pray in my room at a retreat center, I replayed in my mind the lyrics I had been singing along with the radio on my hour drive there. I felt frustrated and confused. Why were there so many songs describing the tenderness and comfort of being held by God?
Guardian Angel
V
This represents all the people who have loved and supported me on my journey at Refuge for Women.
untitled
S
This art represents moving freely and going with the flow in life.
Misunderstanding
A
This piece represents the artist's everyday life and the chaos she was involved in. She says "No one really understands the ins and outs of this lifestyle.”
Three Times Sold
Sioni
I want you to know is that even when we think there's no way, it turns out that there is a way. When we think that we're alone, we're not, because God is with us. Sometimes we feel worthless and think that God must not care about people like us.
The Feminine Mystique
Be Your Bad-Ass Girly Self
Hannah
Do not be afraid to explore all that makes you who you are. You are NOT too much! You are NOT too girly! At the same time, even the girliest of girls isn't all pink. God is both lion AND lamb...and so are we!!! Let the layers upon layers of who you are be added without shade, and trust that something beautiful and truly unique is being revealed in you!
America
Anonymous
LOVE THROUGHOUT THE SEASONS
Gabriella
Through each season we weather diverse conditions that test our character and refine our essence. We strive daily to rid ourselves of impurities and gravitate instead in the direction of traits that make us better. Hence, through each season there exists a time to lose and a time to gain, a time to hate and a time to love, a time to weep and a time to laugh.
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Briana
This year, for the first time in nearly twenty-years in history, Sexual Assault Awareness Month was observed solely in online spaces. My friend and I decided to dedicated survivors of sexual violence with a photoshoot for those who have suffered through a traumatic phase. What hurts me more was that my sister was involved but she wanted to participate. We asked individuals (all genders) in our community who are survivors or who are going through it that have been holding on to it for so long, to share their stories. Their story will help many more. We wanted them to speak their truth out. What's said needs to be said.
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Lizzy
I have always used art as a therapeutic release to relive the pain and suffering of addiction and sexual trauma. Art reminds me that I am a survivor and I am not defined by my pain.
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Marianne
“Excellence is never an accident: it is the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution, and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities”
#METOO
Olivia
My story is quite long, so I will shorten it for this purpose. I was sexually assaulted at age 6, and I don't remember much about it, and it was unfortunately just the beginning. From age 12-17 my step-brother sexually assaulted me whenever I would go and visit my father. In 2018 I finally came forward about it on my half-sister's birthday, and it was terrifying, because I didn't want her to succumb to the same fate as I was. Present day, my Father has stopped talking to me because he doesn't believe me. He has cut off all communication I had with my sister, who is now 12 this year. It has been two ears since I came forward, and I don't regret it
Anxious
Cherish House Resident
The emotions represented here are: anxious, scared, nervous. This picture represents these feelings.
Untitled
Cherish House Resident
color wheel
Cherish House Resident
All the feelings mixed together - why it runs together; happy, sad, depression, anxiety, fear. The top of the canvas has paint drippings representing thoughts.
Untitled
Cherish House Resident
Mountains with Starrs
Cherish House Resident
Even in the midst of trauma and being taken to multiple states, I was able to see good. My safe place - the stars and the mountains
Trust in him
Cherish House Resident
During the years of being trafficked, my faith in God quickly faded. I truly believed that He abandoned me when I was in need the most. Little did I know He was weeping on the side while I was being raped and beat multiple times.
Silhouette of She
Zariah
Photomontage
Cherish House Resident
This photomontage shows the pain and suffering that I'd endured while being trafficked.