We Step Into the Light is a project that raises awareness about sexual assault, relationship violence, gender-based violence, and stalking through art created for “thrivers,” which is a term that has been chosen to replace the term “survivors.” 

Volunteer thrivers will be paired with volunteer artists and together they will create a work of art celebrating the thriver. 

Art for this project can be of any form, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, photography, jewelry, poetry, song, and dance. 

The art focuses on the dreams, goals, passions, and ambitions of the thriver rather than on the assault the thriver experienced. Through a series of interactions with the artists, the thriver inspires the artist, who will then capture (in collaboration with the thriver) the essence of the thriver who lives a full life beyond the experience of violence. 

The art pieces are gifts made for the thrivers.

In “We Step Into the Light,” we recognize the power of art to inspire those who have suffered emotional and physical trauma to see their beauty and find their strength to live the lives they have always wanted. We also recognize that in addition to providing an opportunity for healing and comfort, art has the power to raise awareness about the prevalence of assault and give the community an opportunity to better understand and support thrivers.

The artwork will be exhibited in the Willard Straight Hall Browsing Library from Monday, May 11th to Sunday, May 17th. 

For more information about “We Step Into the Light,” please see here:

www.WeStepIntoTheLight.weebly.com