Mission
The mission of Awakenings is to provide survivors of sexual violence with a trauma-informed, inclusive art-making experience that encourages healing.
Overview
The mission of Awakenings is to provide survivors of sexual violence with a trauma-informed, inclusive art-making experience that encourages healing. Our vision is to provide survivors with a trauma-informed, professional arts experience that furthers their healing process and artistic careers. Awakenings’ year-round arts programming falls into three categories: visual, literary, and performance. We provide each artist with a trauma-informed experience from the moment they submit their work online to the moment they leave the gallery. Through mindful communication, check-ins, and asking for consent during every phase of program coordination, we put the power in the hands of our survivor artists.
Each year, Awakenings explores themes of survivorship through three seasons of programming. Each season includes an art exhibit, an issue of our literary magazine, blog posts, educational programs, and movement/dance or performance pieces all centered on a shared theme. This programming structure provides interdisciplinary artistic engagement and allows for comprehensive conversation on each seasons’ theme.
Press
- June 12, 2023 CBS 2 Chicago: Changemakers
- November 18, 2021 NBC 5 News at 5: Embodying Justice Exhibit
- June 4th, 2021 Daily Herald Return: A New Virtual Art Exhibit
- March 10th, 2020 WTTW News At Awakenings Gallery Artworks Offer Healing
- September 12, 2019 Artisan of all kind to unite at the 18th Annual Ravenswood Artwalk
- August 30th, 2019 Local Business Spotlight Awakenings Foundation
- March 5, 2019 Awakenings: Helping Survivors Tell Their Story Through Art
- April 21st, 2018 The Colombia Chronicle Notable Native: Laura Kinter
- July 21st, 2017 Chicago Tribune Healing Embodied
- July 18th, 2017 CBS News on Making Matters
- March 8th, 2017 Medill News A Way Back Home: Art as Recovery For Rape Victims In Chicago
- December 9th, 2016 Medill News Open Art Studio Offers Sexual Assault Survivors Healing in Ravenswood
- October 13th, 2016 DNA Info Graphic Relief
- October 6th, 2016 Chicago Reader Graphic Relief
- February 23th, 2016 Medill News Gallery Founder Aims To Raise Awareness Of Sexual Abuse Through Art
- January 11th, 2016 Fox News Stop It Exhibit
- October 1st, 2012 Medill News Rape Survivor Portrait Exhibit Opens in Chicago