THREADS OF STRENGTH: TAPESTRY OF SURVIVAL is a fiber-arts display depicting recovery from domestic violence and sexual assault. JBJ Soul Kitchen will host an opening on Wednesday, October 18th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at its Red Bank restaurant located at 207 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ. This will be the 5th collaborative art exhibit between 180 Turning Lives Around and Soul Kitchen.
180 Turning Lives Around, is the lead agency in Monmouth County providing services for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. JBJ Soul Kitchen is a community restaurant featuring fresh, healthy ingredients. Soul Kitchen serves meals to in-need customers through volunteer work or to paying customers through paying by donation. Dining at JBJ Soul Kitchen provides an opportunity for all to EAT WELL and DO GOOD.
Each year the staff of the agency’s Amanda’s Easel Creative Arts Therapy Program leads an art project made by survivors and advocates that represents personal journeys toward healing. This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Domestic Awareness Month. The art projects bring awareness about Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence in our community. Thread, fabric, string and other materials were used to represent piecing life back together. Survivors and advocates working together create stronger bonds, weaving stories of pain into strength and survival.
In the art therapy studios at Amanda’s Easel, people gathered around the table to cut, paint and tie together fibers that show survival and strength. Their journeys are personal and courageous. Every individual has a unique story, yet living with violence and abuse has common threads. These creative art sessions allowed survivors the chance to know they are not alone.
“Since 180 has embraced the opportunity to share survivor’s stories through art, we have seen hundreds of men, women, and children find inspiration and healing in the process of the art making. Producing and exhibiting the imagery that addresses surviving violence is often powerful and filled with raw emotion. It is my belief that these are the strong messages we need the public to see and hear about in order to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in our society”, states Cynthia Westendorf, Coordinator of Amanda’s Easel Creative Arts Program
The art exhibit will bring voice to the many individuals that find their way to 180 Turning Lives Around. We invite the community to see the exhibit, share in the message and join the campaign to end intimate partner violence.
180 Turning Lives Around, Inc. is a private, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence in our community. 180 is committed to providing services to individuals and families affected by domestic and sexual violence. In addition, 180 works to mobilize concerned individuals, organizations, and civic and religious groups to join our effort to end violence and abuse through public education, public policy reforms, and training of allied professionals. Domestic Violence: (888) 843-9262 | Sexual Violence: (888) 264-7273 | TTY#: (732) 264-3089 | 2NDFLOOR® Youth: (888) 222-2228
