'Monster Within' Art center hosts 2nd domestic violence awareness exhibit
The Butler Art Center will host its next exhibit, “The Monster Within,” in observance of domestic violence awareness, Sept. 23 to Oct. 23.
An artist reception and candlelight vigil is planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 at the center, 344 S. Main St.
Artists of all ages and levels of experience have been encouraged to submit original works to represent the hardship and healing experienced by survivors of domestic violence.
Gloria Armstrong, medical advocate specialist for VOICe, the Victim Outreach Intervention Center in Butler County, said the inaugural event went so well last year that VOICe and The Art Center decided to host another exhibit.
VOICe provides free and confidential services to victims of crime in Butler County.
“Last year we had about 120 submissions,” Armstrong said. “We’re not always sure how many admissions we’re going to have until opening night.”
Drop off of art at the center is from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
In addition to submitted artwork, the exhibit will consist of many hands-on projects, Armstrong said.
A healing tree will feature leaves “with what the ‘monster’ says and does on one side of the leaf, and what you want to say to the monster on the other side,” she said.
“It’s really about the healing from abuse.”
Students from the Moniteau School District are painting the title canvas, a picture moving from cocoon to butterfly, Armstrong said.
Other projects the evening of the reception will include a healing room, a place to create collaborative collage; and a Walk in Her Shoes, in which participants pick a shoe from a pile and apply “healing words or words of anger, whatever their feelings are, in the journey toward healing,” Armstrong said.
For more information, call 724-283-6922 or visit butlerartcenter.org.
Other upcoming shows are the annual nature and wildlife exhibit and annual Christmas art show and sale.
