Draw the Line - Crisis Services Community Poster Competition Entries on View at the Burchfield-Penney
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center and Crisis Services are proud to present the exhibition, Draw the Line, in honor of April 2004 Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Education Corridor of the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. The exhibition is on view through May 30, 2004.
"The works that were created for the Crisis Services poster competition demonstrate that art can be a powerful tool to convey a serious message," said Gerald Mead, curator of education and outreach at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. "The artists who responded to this competition move us with the images and text they chose to raise awareness of grave issues related to domestic abuse."
Domestic Violence, Family Violence, Elder Abuse, Rape and Sexual Assault affect every race, age, religion, culture, sex, and socio-economic group. In the United States, every 15 seconds, someone becomes a victim of abuse. This statistic is alarming. What alarms us even more, as victim advocates at Crisis Services, is the lack of reported abuse. It is estimated that only 1 in 10 victims come forward.
In answer to these tragic realities, Crisis Services Advocate Program organized Draw the Line, a Community Awareness Art Project. Crisis Services, along with its sponsors, invited teenagers, high school and college students, senior citizens, and all interested individuals to create artwork that speaks out against family and domestic violence, elder abuse, rape, and sexual assault; artwork that lets others know that such abuse will not be tolerated in our community.
The contest lasted throughout the month of February 2003. More than 150 entries were submitted. A jury of artists and service providers selected 20 winning artworks, which were reproduced into 12" by 18" posters that feature Crisis Services' logo and Hotline phone numbers.
During 2003 to 2005, over 1,000 resource posters will be displayed throughout Erie County in public and private schools, college campuses, youth and senior centers, libraries, hospital emergency rooms, and churches, in an attempt to increase awareness and provide a safe and confidential resource for those in need of help.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney's members.
About Crisis Services
Crisis Services (Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, Inc.) is a unique, private, not-for-profit, mental health and human service agency with the mission of providing immediate, professional assistance to anyone, at any time, who is experiencing emotional or personal crisis. The Advocate Program provides counseling, support and advocacy for survivors of family violence, rape and sexual assault. For more information, call (716) 834-3131.
"The works that were created for the Crisis Services poster competition demonstrate that art can be a powerful tool to convey a serious message," said Gerald Mead, curator of education and outreach at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. "The artists who responded to this competition move us with the images and text they chose to raise awareness of grave issues related to domestic abuse."
Domestic Violence, Family Violence, Elder Abuse, Rape and Sexual Assault affect every race, age, religion, culture, sex, and socio-economic group. In the United States, every 15 seconds, someone becomes a victim of abuse. This statistic is alarming. What alarms us even more, as victim advocates at Crisis Services, is the lack of reported abuse. It is estimated that only 1 in 10 victims come forward.
In answer to these tragic realities, Crisis Services Advocate Program organized Draw the Line, a Community Awareness Art Project. Crisis Services, along with its sponsors, invited teenagers, high school and college students, senior citizens, and all interested individuals to create artwork that speaks out against family and domestic violence, elder abuse, rape, and sexual assault; artwork that lets others know that such abuse will not be tolerated in our community.
The contest lasted throughout the month of February 2003. More than 150 entries were submitted. A jury of artists and service providers selected 20 winning artworks, which were reproduced into 12" by 18" posters that feature Crisis Services' logo and Hotline phone numbers.
During 2003 to 2005, over 1,000 resource posters will be displayed throughout Erie County in public and private schools, college campuses, youth and senior centers, libraries, hospital emergency rooms, and churches, in an attempt to increase awareness and provide a safe and confidential resource for those in need of help.
About the Burchfield-Penney Art Center
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is a museum dedicated to the art and vision of Charles E. Burchfield and distinguished artists of Buffalo Niagara and Western New York State. Through its affiliation with Buffalo State College, the museum encourages learning and celebrates our richly creative and diverse community. For more information, call (716) 878-6011 or visit www.burchfield-penney.org.
The Burchfield-Penney Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is supported in part with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and County of Erie. Additional operating support is provided by the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Trust, the Mary A. H. Rumsey Foundation and the Burchfield-Penney's members.
About Crisis Services
Crisis Services (Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, Inc.) is a unique, private, not-for-profit, mental health and human service agency with the mission of providing immediate, professional assistance to anyone, at any time, who is experiencing emotional or personal crisis. The Advocate Program provides counseling, support and advocacy for survivors of family violence, rape and sexual assault. For more information, call (716) 834-3131.
Media Contact:
Kathleen Heyworth, Public Relations, Burchfield-Penney Art Center | 7168784529 | heyworkm@buffalostate.edu