For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we held our annual The Art of Survival reception at The Art School at Old Church in Demarest, NJ. The exhibit showcases the moving artistic expressions of Bergen County survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who participated in Center for Hope & Safety’s The Art of Survival workshops.
Participants in The Art of Survival experience healing and build confidence in creating amazing works of art. They also find community and support alongside other survivors of abuse.
Celebrating its 15th year, Baring Our Soles returns as a cornerstone of the exhibit, featuring hand-decorated shoes that symbolize the deeply personal journeys of survivors and honor the courage it takes to turn pain into purpose.
This year’s event also debuts The Freedom Purse, a powerful new project that continues the spirit of transformation. Each handcrafted purse serves as a vessel for what was once hidden, giving voice to survival and reflecting the evolution into something beautiful, meaningful, and empowering.
The Art of Survival is led by Marta Levy, Art Therapist at Center for Hope & Safety. The program is made possible by a grant administered by the Bergen County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs from funds of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
To learn more about The Art of Survival, please email Marta.
