Common Circles: Addressing Violence Through Art

During the summer of 2008, Common Weal hosted the Common Circles project at the Albert Scott Community Center. This project invited multi-cultural organizations, community members and various artists to explore the issues related to violence against women and families. The project artistically explored the ideas behind the four areas of the Medicine Wheel, Circle of Courage and the Perceptual Control Therapy, which include: independence, generosity, belonging and self power. Through these workshops, the outcomes and learning experiences were brought together to create a VISUAL resource manual for schools, organizations, victims, and others. The purpose being, to visually empower, educate and bring awareness to the prevalent issue of women, violence, and multi culturalism.

In collaboration with project manager, educator and artist Danette Exner, artists Traci Foster, Sherry Farrell Racette and Jori Cachene were working participants twice a week on different art projects, including voice, beading and fabric work. Each week a different theme was brought forward to discuss and to collaborate into the participant’s artwork.

The overall objective of the Common Circles project was to bring awareness to the prevalent issues concerning violence and abuse, while providing an outlet for participants to use their creativity as a new “voice”. To do this, our objectives were to create a safe environment, encourage the process of creativity and culture, encourage relationship building and provide informational resources and links for the projects participants and partners. The final project objective was to create a resource toolkit, which would allow the objectives and message of anti-violence to grow and carry on to a new audience.

As many anti-violence initiatives are geared towards women, this project included everyone. Violence often affects the whole family, and we wanted to ensure that everyone was welcome. The community adressed by this project included: women, their partners, families, children, anyone affected by violence in their life and those community members who want to take an active and cultural approach to this issue. Our intent was that, because of this, the message and objectives of the project would be passed on to new generations and audiences.

On November 21st, Common Weal hosted a book launch and celebration of the participant’s work and involvement at the MacKenzie Art Gallery.

To view of purchase Common Circles: Addressing Violence Through Art, visit our page on Blurb.

Project gallery