By Ashley Wilson | Rise Above Violence
This year marks the seventh annual Art Above Violence show. This year’s theme is “Light Up the Night” as we shed light on the important issue of domestic violence in our community. Each year, we come together to celebrate the strength and healing of survivors right here in Pagosa.
This year, for light up the night, our goal is to raise enough to provide 365 nights of safety. One night of safety for a victim fleeing a dangerous situation costs $100. Help us light up the night by attending Art Above Violence and keeping a victim and their children safe for one or many nights.
Rise Above Violence, in conjunction with local artists, is using art to promote awareness of violence in our community and to offer victims and survivors a way to tell their story through art. Storytelling is the best way for a nonprofit to communicate its mission, values and outcomes. Unfortunately for victims of domestic violence in a small rural community, telling their story often puts them at risk and is very hard to keep their names confidential. This art activism project allows survivors to express their story and have it told through a medium that is healing and keeps their identity safe. Our goal is to show these stories visually and reach out to touch people in our community.
This year’s event will be on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Tennyson Building Event Center. General admission will be from 7 to 9 p.m. and tickets ($25) can be purchased at the door. To purchase tickets, visit https://givebutter.com/ArtGeneralAdmission. More information about the show can be found on the Rise Above Violence site at https://www.riseaboveviolence.org/art-above-violence.html.
This event will have great music by the Jackson Mountain Ramblers, dance and vocal performances, and amazing art up for auction. There will also be heavy appetizers and a cash bar. We hope to see you there.
Rise serves around 400 victims each year and supports them with essential services that promote safety, stability and healing.
The Art Above Violence show is one of many ways to get involved. Rise also has a monthly giving program and a business partnership program. The monthly giving program asks donors to consider a $10 (or more) monthly recurring gift that helps to support victims and survivors in an on-going consistent way. Ten dollars covers the cost of one crisis call. More people are reaching out and Rise is committed to being available and responsive to those calls.
How do you help yourself or someone else? Rise can help you with counseling, housing and resources to keep you and your loved ones safe. Rise is our community’s local domestic violence and sexual assault organization. Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at (970) 264-9075.
