The West Hartford Art League Club House Gallery held an opening reception on Thursday, July 18, for ‘The Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition’ produced by Amanda Mendoza. 

Artists of the Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition. Photo Credit: Kaily Martinez

By Kaily Martinez

Art can connect souls in a more profound way than communication can. From July 19 through Aug. 4 at the West Hartford Art League Club House Gallery, visitors will see and feel the “Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition” produced by artist Amanda Mendoza. 

At the opening reception on Thursday, July 18, the art gallery became crowded with loved ones and visitors within minutes. The support and admiration for the artists and their work could not only be seen, but it was deeply felt.

Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition produced by Amanda Mendoza opening reception on Thursday, July 18. Photo Credit: Kaily Martinez

Through various mediums, such as films, photographs, poems, or oil on canvas, each artist shares their stories of how they faced sexual violence or domestic violence but are on their healing journey.

Next to each art piece is a title card that presents the artist, the title and story behind each piece and details on how art has contributed to them and their healing, inspiring hope and optimism. The exhibit also featured two tables for the Prudence Crandall Center and YWCA New Britain Sexual Assault Crisis Service, where advocates provided resources and support.

Mendoza gave an empowering speech, proudly speaking about the artists who shared their work and sharing her story. Ten years ago, when Mendoza was a student at Central Connecticut State University, she found a brink of safety lodged in the tea club on campus and felt comfortable sharing her story with them.

After sharing with them, she realized, “My neighborhood cares, not just about me, but all survivors beyond me.”

Artist Amanda Mendoza produced the exhibit at the West Hartford Art League Club House Gallery. Photo Credit: Kaily Martinez

“This show has a unique purpose: to elevate the voices of survivors of sexual violence and domestic violence and their loved ones. Each piece of artwork displayed here is a story. Stories of pain, heartbreak, confusion, grief and anger,” Mendoza said. “Balanced with joy, safety, healing, bravery and hope. I chose the word balanced because being a survivor of trauma is often a journey of us trying to find our balance again.” 

However, Mendoza touched on how the exhibit came to be. What pushed Mendoza to create the exhibit was during a movement at college, Take Back the Night. After she shared her story on stage, she spoke with a survivor who admitted she felt “ashamed for not having the strength to get up on stage.” 

Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition featured art in multiple mediums such as paintings, photographs, poems and more. Photo Credit: Kaily Martinez

Mendoza said she saw her teenage self, who would doodle instead of speaking because she was scared, within the fellow survivor. This made her question: “What if bravery did not have to look like speaking into a microphone? What if bravery could be creating art, writing poetry or music?” Thus, the dream of the art exhibition began. 

“Most survivor’s stories go unheard, whether that be due to shame, guilt, fear of not being believed, loss of life and more, and that’s why it’s incredibly important that we create more safe spaces for survivors to come forward,” Mendoza said.

During her speech, Mendoza thanked the Office of the Arts at the Department of Economic and Community Development, which supported the exhibit through the Artists Respond Grant. As Mendoza said, “Healing is not linear,” and speaking about trauma is not easy, “but it will be easier.” While the opening reception is over, visitors can still enjoy the exhibit until Aug. 4 from Thursday to Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.

Stories of Bravery, Healing and Hope: Survivors Art Exhibition produced by Amanda Mendoza opening reception on Thursday, July 18. Photo Credit: Kaily Martinez

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