Art of Healing

Child sexual abuse is very real. It is a violation of the ultimate degree, the violation of an innocent and defenseless child. It is not a symbolic act, but a devastating reality that goes on daily everywhere. Healing, too, is very real. It is an act of courage, integrity, creativity, determination and beauty. It is often hard and painful, always worthwhile. The process of healing takes many shapes and voices many emotions and truths, from the telling of the unspeakable in all of its horror, to the celebration of life and love and self-acceptance.

The works presented in the Art of Healing express the full range of what people have to tell and feel. Some of it may be very difficult to witness; some of it will be about the joy. We have chosen to include it all, without censorship. We have chosen to respect and acknowledge each unique voice in her/his expression along the way. In all, we have chosen to say that we are willing to see, hear and know whatever needs to be shared. And, in so doing, we also say that child sexual abuse must stop, and children who become the adult survivors of today are precious human beings and deserve to be safe and to live without fear and violation.

We acknowledge the fact that the works presented in the Art of Healing will provoke a wide variety of feelings. People viewing the artwork and listening to the spoken and sung words will experience sadness, fear, anger, repulsion, compassion, etc. It is appropriate to feel angry about the rape and violation of innocent children. It is appropriate to feel repulsed by the vivid details and explicit expositions of human sickness in action. It is appropriate to feel sadness about the loss of human life and wholeness. It is our belief that we contribute to the healing of child sexual abuse by our willingness to bear witness to its reality, in spite of our discomfort in doing so.

We encourage people who attend the art exhibit and the evening of poetry and music to take care of themselves, to breathe, and to pay attention to their own experience and wisdom. We encourage people to take a break, ask for support, or do whatever else they need to do to take care of themselves as they witness the artwork and listen to the shared words. We also ask that people keep in mind that the Art of Healing is a forum for healing and empowerment, an opportunity for adult survivors to share with a strong, clear voice, to tell the truth, and to reclaim their power. This is what the Art of Healing is all about.