POUGHKEEPSIE- This October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Grace Smith House, Inc. is hosting the Clothesline Project, a visual display of decorated t-shirts created by domestic violence victims and their loved ones. Each shirt is decorated to represent a particular victim’s domestic violence experience. The emotional expression is part of a national movement designed to bear witness to these experiences, help those impacted with the healing process, and to educate and raise our awareness of the extent of domestic and sexual violence problem.
This exhibition of the Clothesline Project will display t-shirts that have been created over the past 30 plus years. October will start with the Clothesline Project exhibition at Gallery 40, at 40 Cannon Street, Poughkeepsie, NY with a reception on October 3rd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 pm. The show will go on till October 9, 2023.
Later in the month, a smaller exhibition will be held during Rhinebeck Arts Weekend, at the Betsy Jacaruso Studio & Gallery, 43-2 E Market Street, Rhinebeck, NY from October 20 to 22, 2023. The Betsy Jacaruso Studio & Gallery will host a reception on October 21, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“Through the Clothesline Project, Grace Smith House is increasing awareness of the devastating impact of domestic violence on families, celebrating the strength and resiliency of survivors, and providing ways to break through the silence that often surrounds domestic violence. During October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we will also host additional outreach events to educate our community about the signs of abuse, create a dialogue on how to stop domestic violence and uplift survivors. For details go to the Grace Smith House’s website,” said Dr. Branka Bryan, Grace Smith House Executive Director.
Grace Smith House has been serving our community, for forty-two years. In 1981, Grace Smith House opened its first door. Now, for over four decades, courageous, compassionate and empowered women and men have stepped across the threshold and received the support they needed to stop the cycle of domestic violence in their lives.
Local businesses and individuals are invited to sponsor the Clothesline Project this year. To learn about how your company can show support by standing with Grace Smith House, visit Grace Smith House’s website.
Both gallery receptions have limited space. RSVP to marianneb@gracesmithhouse.org
For more information or to become a Clothesline Project sponsor, visit our Clothesline Project webpage. Watch for an online exhibition of t-shirts during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month.
