Art will benefit Saving Grace

Every year, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. For several years, Sisters artists organized by Kit Stafford have created artwork that is sold to raise money for Saving Grace of Central Oregon, which helps survivors of domestic and sexual violence to find safety and healing in their women’s shelter and support center in Bend.

This year’s art, called the SHE Project, will be exhibited at Sisters Art Works in the Cindy and Duncan Campbell Gallery, 204 W. Adams Ave., beginning November 10 and running through December 12. There will be an opening for artists on November 10 beginning at 5 p.m. The gallery will be open business days and will be part of the November Fourth Friday Art Walk.

The artists were invited to create an art piece to express an image that speaks to women. They were to choose a phrase or sentence that includes or begins with “she” or “her” that would serve as the title for their piece and send a message of hope to women who need it. Each piece will sell for $40, with all proceeds going to Saving Grace.

According to Stephanie Miller, marketing and development coordinator for Saving Grace, between July 2021 and June 2022, the agency served 1,267 survivors across Central Oregon. They answered 2,400 calls to their 24/7 helpline and 271 children and teen survivors were supported. They distributed $183,536 to pay critical expenses like rent. They are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that relies on donations to help meet their expenses.

Miller shared a quote from a former client: “When the abuse was happening, I felt so alone. My abuser convinced me that I deserved what they did, and I was ashamed to look for help. Central Oregon is mostly a happy, peaceful place and I felt like I was the only one living a nightmare. That all changed when I came to Saving Grace. Hearing the stories of other survivors helped me realize that I was not alone and that the abuse I endured was not my fault. I am slowly moving past my experience, and that is all thanks to Saving Grace and the amazing advocates who supported me in my journey.”