The Scarlet Cord: Healing for Sex-trafficked Children is now showing at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Students and community members are invited to interact with the work by tying a scarlet cord. The scarlet cords are a reminder that children are enslaved in human trafficking all around the world—and even in places like Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The Scarlet Cord
March 12 – 14, 2018
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, Michigan
“I was raped,” a student revealed during a recent phone interview. Each year several students contact me requesting an interview or mentoring. Although the purpose of each interview is to discuss my work, the conversations often turn personal.
This past year, students from Colorado and southern California asked for coaching with their sex-trafficking projects. I also worked with students from Saugatuck High School via email, text messaging, Skype, and a visit to my garage studio. Because of generous donations from art supporters, I gave the Saugatuck students most of the supplies needed to develop their own sex-trafficking installation.
When the student shared during our phone interview that she was raped, I had the opportunity to talk about my healing art and how her school assignment about human trafficking could be therapeutic for her. Amazingly, at such a young age, this student already understands how her own wounds have the potential to help other victims find freedom’s path.
DONATE NOW and join The Scarlet Cord’s mission:
Freedom and healing for sex-trafficked children
Image (above): Students from Saugatuck High School created their own sex-trafficking installation
#paint4healing
#artistcitizenwork
Pamela creates custom interactive exhibits. To find out more information for your next event, contact the artist.
Above: An interactive healing exhibit especially designed for Manasseh Project’s Stop This Traffic conference.
Below: This past spring, another interactive installation showcased at Grand Valley State University’s Frederik Meijer Honors College.
Mental illness is rarely discussed. Yet a couple of different Let Go submissions dealt with this seemingly taboo topic. Art invites honesty. Within the context of art, we can say things that may not be as acceptable in another arena.
I’m so thankful for the honesty of the participants at the Let Go installation. They have inspired the rest of us to persevere through the difficulties we all encounter. Tell us your story at #LetGo. We would love to hear from you.
Mental illness is a horribly debilitating thing. But I’m letting go of my focus on the disease, and I’m refocusing on my journey towards wellness.
Signed, Camilla
Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.
Thank you to the thousands of visitors for successfully helping us to complete our ninth year of ArtPrize. It has been an amazing journey! Over 70,000 Let Go notes were added to our interactive healing installation—an artist/visitor collaboration.
I would like to thank the one hundred twenty-six courageous individuals and third graders from Lone Pine Elementary School who pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences. I would also like to thank over fifty exhibit volunteers, including the Girl Scouts, Young Life, and the Blue Star Mothers, for helping greet and serve our ArtPrize audience.
A special thank you to the following friends, co-workers, and businesses for helping make Let Go possible. You are fabulous!
Volunteer coordinator Jan VanderWal
Creative project manager Marijo Heemstra
Calvin College intern Melissa Burgess
Carpenter Mark Scholma
Install/uninstall team—Louie Vanderwal, Greg Shepherd, and Kelvin Kronemeyer
Exhibit supporter Patty Alexander
Encourager Kathy Pluymert
A committed group of financial supporters
PlexiCase Inc and Moonlight Graphics for generously donating supplies
A huge thank you to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for hosting my work for the sixth year. We also are grateful to all those who shared their Let Go notes during ArtPrize (#LetGo). And, lastly, I would like to thank Leon, my husband and life companion, for his faithful and loving support throughout the last nine years of ArtPrize. He’s my champion!
Photo credit: Tom DeVette
Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.
It is surprising, in a way, how I could have written almost all of the one hundred twenty-six Let Go letters or sentences that were submitted. Though the details of our stories may differ, our struggles are often very similar. And these common experiences of pain and loss connect us like a dot-to-dot drawing.
Throughout ArtPrize Nine, new friendships have been formed and old friendships have deepened. The opportunity to support one another through interactive healing art continues to link us together and strengthens us to face the future. This letter about challenging relationships highlights yet another healing and hope-filled journey.
Dear Surrender,
My life is a mess. Over the past two years, I have hurt more than ever in all my life. I have felt so lost and lonely.
My heart says I need help, but logic says I need to protect myself from more hurt. Drink and eat more. Shut down. But the physical pain of overeating will not bring me peace. It only drives me towards more isolation and shame.
But it’s time to turn a corner. It’s time to reclaim my life. So here’s to surrender:
I am letting go of my perception of what a husband should do.
I’m letting go of a daughter’s choice to focus on sex and shallow relationships.
I’m letting go of self-judgment over my parenting.
I’m letting go of a dad who manipulates.
I’m letting go of a mother who has no clue.
I’m letting of a sister who stays silent.
I’m letting go of a brother who disappoints.
I’m letting go of a co-worker who has no right.
I’m letting go of insecurity and self-hate.
I’m letting go!Sincerely,
Called to Surrender
Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.
I’m letting go of all the hate.
I am letting go of my shame.
I’m letting go of expectations.
I’m letting go of regrets about things I’ve said.
I’m letting go of the fear of never being enough.
I’m letting go of my failure in a broken relationship.
I’m forgiving my friends. I’m letting go of the judgments and grudges against them.
Many participants wrote Let Go statements about difficult relationships. Interactive healing art invites honest reflection. And as a result, many ArtPrize visitors are experiencing a new level of freedom as they begin to Let Go of the things that weigh them down or drag them under.
I am letting go of all the hurt my husband has put me through. I know he doesn’t mean it. But it still makes my heart bleed.
Signed, Lindsay
Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.