Midway through Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a powerful community exhibition opened at the Museum of Northwest Art (MoNA) in La Conner.
The show was developed by two longstanding organizations — Brigid Collins Family Support Center and Skagit Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services (SDVSAS) — with the goal of sharing “art and writing created by survivors of traumas including: physical, sexual, emotional abuse, domestic violence, and neglect.”
“Creative Response to Trauma: A Community Response/Respuesta Creativa al Trauma: Un Enfoque Comunitario” opened to the public Oct. 12 and will stay on view in MoNA’s Outside In Gallery until Jan. 12. The mixed media show offers viewers a chance to learn and engage in public conversation about abuse and trauma; additionally, it highlights essential community resources.
“SDVSAS has worked closely with Brigid Collins for many years in supporting child victims of abuse and their parents at the Child Advocacy Center,” said SDVSAS Executive Director Heidi Roy. “Partnering with MoNA provides a great opportunity to shine a light on abuse and the need for community response in supporting victims and preventing future violence, while celebrating the resilience of survivors through the medium of art.”
Artwork on view ranges from original paintings to letters of support, decorated burlap flags, a denim quilt and painted masks. Artists’ ages range from 3 to adult, and the presenting pieces were created in a therapeutic setting.
“The idea for the art display itself came from artist Stephen Cheng, who met with me a while ago to see if our agency was interested in collaborating on a project to display art that illustrates the range of emotions child victims of abuse experience and their path toward healing,” added Roy.
Cheng, a multi-disciplinary artist, has three pieces in the exhibit — including a thought-provoking sculpture called “Child Making a Wish” — and lists “child abuse awareness” as an adopted social cause on his online artist statement.
Another large, impactful painting — titled “Chiaroscuro” by artist Jasmyne/Jazzy — is split vertically, with the female subject painted in bright pinks and orange on one side and deep blues and purples on the other. This intentional color work is meant to show the “internal struggle between the healed, lighter you and the cognitive distortions still twisting your thoughts and actions into heaviness,” according to the artist.
For added context, a video reflecting on Brigid Collins Family Support Center’s important work with children and families affected by trauma loops in the background. It features interviews with members of the organization’s staff as well as Executive Director Jenn Lockwood, who was also a collaborator.
The first planning meeting for “Creative Response to Trauma” occurred in April 2023 between MoNA staff, Cheng and representatives from Brigid Collins Family Support Center and SVDVAS to discuss the potential collaboration. This is the first time MoNA has planned an Outside In Gallery exhibition with more than one community organization.
“SDVSAS uses art to inspire healing in its children’s groups and support groups, so we were interested in the potential to highlight these issues in our community through an art display,” Roy said. “While our agency has hosted many community events, this is the first time we have helped host an art event.”
Artwork is further contextualized by Expression Exchange, an interactive space near the museum’s northwest corner where visitors can process and respond to the exhibit. They can also listen to a podcast episode of MoNA Moments featuring Roy and Lockwood in conversation about the exhibit.
Visitors are invited to contemplate real-time statistics; for example, an average of 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. One in 10 children are sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Violence and abuse are widespread — and can be exacerbated in rural communities.
Roy noted that people — including survivors of interpersonal violence — often think of healing from trauma as a linear or a step-by-step process. But in reality, for most survivors, it is a winding path that often includes setbacks.
But while survivors of abuse are often considered victims, Roy underlined that “survivors of violence show great courage and resilience in coming forward, in seeking help and in doing the hard work to heal and move into safer, healthier futures.”
MoNA Education Director Ellie Cross said the museum welcomed 33,915 visitors in the past year — which underscores the potential for many individuals to be impacted by this exhibition.
“I have been incredibly inspired by the immense effort Brigid Collins Family Support Center and SDVSAS have undertaken to enact and share their creative therapeutic process with MoNA,” Cross continued, “and the many people that will be impacted by this exhibition.”
If you are experiencing violence and need services, SDVSAS are available to take your call 24 hours a day at 888-336-9591. Info: skagitdvsas.org. Brigid Collins has Children Advocacy Centers in Skagit and Whatcom County. Info: brigidcollins.org.
Info: Museum of Northwest Art, 121 S. 1st St. in La Conner.
Jessica Gigot is a poet and writing coach. She lives on a little sheep farm in the Skagit Valley. See her work at jessicagigot.com.
