Art is powerful.
So powerful, it can help mend the emotional wounds often caused by sexual violence.
That was the message of Suncoast Center’s Art Heals exhibit held on April 9 at Studio@620 on First Avenue South.
The display featured art pieces created by survivors of sexual violence. Facts and statistics about sexual violence were hung in the gallery alongside the art.
Suncoast Center is the certified rape crisis center of Pinellas County and provides education on prevention as well as a variety of services for victims of sexual assault.
Art Heals is an annual event held in April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. To gain more exposure for the cause, the exhibit was also part of downtown St. Petersburg’s ArtWalk, where art galleries in the St. Petersburg Art Alliance open their doors to the public for free. The event takes place on the second Saturday of every month.
Nearly 50 survivors had art on display, with their names kept anonymous. Each piece was accompanied by a label that stated the work’s title, the artist’s gender and age, and the story behind the art.
The artists could choose which and how much information they wanted to include.
The exhibit featured multiple mediums, including paintings, poems and sculptures. Some of the survivors were able to collaborate with local artists or art organizations to create their piece, but most finished their work without outside help.
“It’s really empowering for some people, I think, to create a piece. It’s a part of the therapy process,” said Beth Menchen, the senior clinical manager at Suncoast Center. “You can see from some of these artist statements that it’s really powerful for their process of healing.”
A small portion of the Art Heals gallery will be displayed at USF St. Petersburg’s Poynter Memorial Library from April 11 through April 18.
“It gives them a voice,” said Menchen. “And that’s a big part of the healing process for survivors.
