Art show kicks off 'Take Back the Night' week

A small orange T-shirt lies on the table in a back room of the Monroe County Library. "I MATTER" is scrawled in paint across it. A blue piece of construction paper with the words "Take Back the Night, Don't Repeat It" written in glitter is placed on a chair a few feet away. \nTuesday night marked the beginning of "Take Back the Night," an annual event that condemns violence against women. The Monroe County Library held an art exhibit displaying pieces of art work by women who wanted to tell their stories. People came in to view the art of survivors and friends of women who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.\nThis week, women of all race, age and religion will "Take Back the Night" by breaking the silence that surrounds hate crimes against women. The international event is 25 years old.\nStacey McDaris, coordinator of "Take Back the Night," said its main emphasis is on sexual assault. \n"It also functions as a space for survivors to tell their stories and for all women to find support and empowerment."\nMcDaris became involved in the annual event because she has volunteered at Middle Way House for three years, and it is in her area of interest. As the coordinator, her role is to bring everyone together who wants to work on the event. She was also the one who expanded "Take Back the Night" into a week-long event. This is the first year that "Take Back the Night" has been a week-long event and the first year that an art show was added. All the proceeds, such as the T-shirts that were being sold, go toward the Middle Way House. \n"The art show is a way for women to express themselves and find empowerment." McDaris said. "For people who use art as their medium, this was a good way for them to tell their story if they weren't comfortable talking about it in public. Some art is a part of the Clothesline Project, some was done by residents of Middle Way House."\nThe art show was open to anyone who wanted to submit, but was focused on art work from survivors. \nThe Clothesline Project, which has been in progress for several years, provides T-shirts for survivors to decorate as they choose. T-shirts such as the orange "I MATTER" shirt, were all laid out on long tables for spectators to view. Through fliers and by word of mouth, anyone was welcome to take a look at the 15 to 20 works of art on display.\nOther pieces included posters with statistics, drawings and ceramics.\n"The theme of this year's 'Take Back the Night' is 'No Longer Silent,'" said Ethan Bull, one of the artists who submitted two ceramic pieces. "One of the pieces I did is about the randomness of language and the release of getting something out."\nBull's two ceramics included letters and words inscribed throughout his work.\n"The survivors make the T-shirts and art projects as a way of expressing themselves." said Liz Siantz, who is helping out with the event. "We used to have an art show as part of Rape Awareness Week, but decided to have it during 'Take Back the Night' week instead."\nSiantz, like McDaris, is a gender studies major at IU and volunteers for Middle Way House, which provides service to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other women who feel they are in a danger.\n"My sister was a volunteer for Middle Way House and now she is part of the staff there," Siantz said. "She inspired me to volunteer for Middle Way, as well." \nEvents for "Take Back the Night" will take place all week. At 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, in the Collins Living-Learning Center's main lounge, there will be a film showing and discussion followed by an open mic, which is provided for survivors to express themselves and for the community to listen and show its support. There will be a candlelight vigil, the rally march and speak-out Thursday. It will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Dunn Meadow.\n"Domestic violence is the most repeated crime in the nation. It is the single most serious cause of injury to women," the Middle Way flier says. "Take Back the Night…don't repeat it."\n-- Contact staff writer Katie Killebrew at kpkilleb@indiana.edu.