RESILIENT — Individuals with ALIVE Inc. and the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center stood by some of the art pieces being featured in the “Voices Unbroken: Art as Resilience” showcase at the Center of Music and Art until April 18. From left are Mary McCardel, program coordinator and victim advocate for ALIVE; Katie Schockey, prevention educator and victim advocate for ALIVE, and Teresa Richmond, sexual assault response team coordinator for the SAHC. -- Christopher Dacanay

WINTERSVILLE — Local survivors of sexual violence are expressing their feelings through art in an inaugural showcase, raising awareness of sexual violence and organizations working to support victims.

“Voices Unbroken: Art as Resilience” features around 40 works of art created by Ohio and West Virginia residents who have and have not been subject to sexual violence. Located at the Center of Music and Art, the exhibit is presented by ALIVE Inc. and the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center.

The showcase will run until April 18 and can be visited during the CMA’s normal business hours. An opening reception is planned for today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mary McCardel, program coordinator and victim advocate for ALIVE, said the showcase highlights art as a method for survivors to overcome their fears and anxieties.

“Art is one way to express your feelings and emotions about what you went through and hopefully get you to a place where you’re able to keep on with your life and make it a positive thing and not always be in the past,” she said.

ALIVE is a dual agency serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Jefferson County. Services include hospital and legal advocacy, 24/7 hotline services, emergency shelters for domestic violence victims, support groups and prevention education for local high schools centered on healthy relationships.

The SAHC covers Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall and Wetzel counties. It focuses on serving victims of anything related to sexual violence — human trafficking, stalking, sexual harassment, sexual assault — and it provide advocacy for emotional support, therapy and hospital and court accompaniment if requested.

Teresa Richmond, sexual assault response team coordinator for the SAHC, recalled how she and McCardel were at an SART meeting in one of her covered counties, brainstorming ideas for commemorating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Both passionate about art, the two envisioned a survivor art show, which they’ve spent the last year planning and hope to establish as a yearly practice.

To fill the showcase, Richmond and McCardel invited submissions from individuals connected with their organizations. The CMA did the same, drawing significant contributions from the Steubenville Art Association. Some students from Harding Middle School contributed their pieces to the showcase, which represents a range of art experience levels.

Richmond said the showcase will hopefully make people aware of the reality of sexual violence and the community members it impacts — both men and women. With informational tables set up in the event space, the showcase is an opportunity to learn more about ALIVE and the SAHC and their services.

Katie Schockey, prevention educator and victim advocate for ALIVE, said she’s glad that word is getting out about ALIVE and the SAHC, so local people know where they can turn to amid hardships.

“Survivors need to know that they are being heard, that they’re being listened to, believed, just know that they’re not alone. So many people don’t have a support system, so our services can really be a big part of their healing.”

From the moment individuals come to the nonprofit organizations, staff are working to find out what their needs are, Schockey said. The path toward healing isn’t pre-determined, she noted. The goal is to support individuals in their decision making and following their plans, making referrals as needed.

Every survivor is different, Richmond said, as are their healing journeys. Organizations facilitate that healing by giving survivors the proper tools and options.

Creative expression is one of the ways survivors can experience healing. Like the survivors and their stories, the art they create varies greatly.

“I’m a survivor, so I think art was a way to communicate feelings that I couldn’t articulate with words. It became integral in my therapy,” Richmond said. “A lot of survivors use art to kind of get out their feelings in a productive way.”

One of Richmond’s own art pieces is included in the showcase. “Stella” depicts a winged individual seated and surrounded by darkness — representing the despair Richmond was clouded with for a long time, particularly at the beginning of her time in therapy. The downward shimmer of light in “Stella” represents the hope that began to shine in Richmond’s life, as time passed.

Two free, victim-friendly events will occur at the CMA during the showcase’s duration: A yoga and deep breathing session with Taylor Provenzano at noon Tuesday, and an emotional release art project Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Those wishing to attend either should respond to their Eventbrite pages, which can be found by searching “Teresa Richmond” on the website.

A major contributor toward the showcase’s success is the CMA, which donated the use of its digital billboards for promotion, Richmond said.

Carolyn Glaub founded the CMA — a hub for music and art supplies retail, community events and lessons for a diverse group of community members. Glaub said ALIVE and the SAHC’s services are critical for the community, and she hopes the showcase can make their work more known.

“I just believe so much in what they’re doing. Art is a tool for people to know more about what they do. … I’ve had people that are dealing with ALIVE right now that will come in and tell me their story, why they’re involved and all of that. (The organizations’ work) is so necessary.”