Participatory Art

Over the last decade of creating interactive healing installation at ArtPrize, I have discovered that the audience reaction to the artwork often ends up being different from what I imagined. The visitors somehow end up creating their own unique response to the work.

For ArtPrize 2013, we created four thousand origami birds and prepared 20,000 vellum cards for the growing response to our participatory work. Then, with only two days left of ArtPrize, almost all 20,000 note cards had been hung on the wall. I knew that by evening, we would run out of cards. When I returned the next morning, I was astonished.

Fifty of my business cards clung to the wall. As I stepped closer, I noticed that people had continued to write prayers, punched holes in them, and then hung them. The ArtPrize visitors’ desire to participate in the creative process couldn’t be stopped. A generative opportunity was birthed by the visitors; the artwork moved them to create their own pathway to healing—their own pathway towards human flourishing.

In this video, though this particular art project is on a much smaller scale, the spontaneous and unique response is similar—which leads to another discovery: Cats love art, too!

Enjoy!

What is one thing you can do to foster creativity with others? (be it human or be it cat)? Share your story #TheCat

To learn more, visit watercolorbypamela.com…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

The Scarlet Cord: Making

The Scarlet Cord Collection, which first debuted at ArtPrize 2014, helps raise awareness for sex-trafficking. But it also speaks to deep emotional wounds caused by sexual abuse. Many male and female visitors have taken the first brave steps towards healing while experiencing the artwork.

By using words or releasing tears in acknowledgement of what happened, the healing process for some begins. True inner freedom is possible. But healing takes time and long-term effort.

If you have a past history of sexual abuse, we would encourage you to seek healing for resolution and closure. Surround yourself with people who care, compassionate people who are willing to help you move forward.

What is the next step you need to take to find true healing?

Learn more about Healing in Arts…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

The Scarlet Cord and Midnight Wars

The average age children first become victims of prostitution is twelve to fourteen, according to the FBI. To help raise awareness and combat this problem, Kelsey Rottiers, the singer of Midnight Wars, and I, with The Scarlet Cord, pooled our efforts for this music video.

Kelsey and I have have discovered that we can make a difference through our anti-sex-trafficking work by crossing religious and social economic borders, confronting child sex enslavement, and calling for compassionate action. Awareness, prevention, and aftercare can be effective in the battle against human trafficking, our modern day slavery. Every effort counts—albeit large or small.

What is one thing you can do to help protect children in your area?

Learn more about Women at Risk International…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

The Scarlet Cord: Culture Care

The Scarlet Cord can be described as street outreach—culture care to the most vulnerable in our communities. Visitors, struggling from child molestation, college date rape, or sex trafficking, verbalized their pain—maybe for the first time. Several actually laid their heads on my chest and sobbed. Thirteen women in West Michigan confided that they had been sex trafficked. A student said, “I’m so ashamed of my past. I don’t want anyone to know.” These hurting people needed someone to identify with their sorrow, to acknowledge their pain, to touch them.

What is one thing you can do to help an at-risk child?

Learn more about Women at Risk International…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

The Scarlet Cord: The Inspiration

In partnership with Women At Risk International for ArtPrize 2014, my installation called The Scarlet Cord was housed in a 40-foot shipping container to raise awareness of human trafficking in the United States—the land of the free.

That year, thirty thousand ArtPrize visitors received scarlet cords—a reminder to build a circle of protection around children in need. As we tied the scarlet cords on each wrist, stories of past sexual abuse often spilled out. Many cleansing tears resulted. The Scarlet Cord touched the viewers in a significant way by helping to release the traumatic secrets through the offer of hope.

How many children are at risk for trafficking in your community? What can you do to help stop the exploitation of children?

Learn more about Women at Risk International…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Wing and a Prayer: The Inspiration

Art’s interactive installation has a subtle power to serve as a healing catalyst. Visitors often experience new insight when given an opportunity to connect with the work. As the artwork begins to unlock the soul, the interactive installation becomes a place of hope and healing.

Here’s an excerpt from Walker’s story that inspired an avalanche of hope:

I have autism! I’m afraid that others will look at me differently. But, if they could see what is in my heart, they would see a real human being. Not an outcast or a kid to dislike.

One of my teachers said that I would never learn how to read or do math, but she didn’t understand my determination. In high school (and college), I played hockey, got good grades, and achieved pretty well socially too.

I can’t get my autism to go away no matter how hard I try. But I’m living proof that people can’t tell me how far I can go. That is up to me!

What is your wish or prayer for a special child in your life?

Learn more about how Walker uses hockey for autism therapy…

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!

Courage Ablaze: Beauty and Ashes

In 2012, Courage Ablaze included seven-foot pillars portraying Congo’s stories of rape and images of the fierce determination of Congolese women. An eight-foot copper tree, the Flame Tree, held charred frames representing the eight million people slaughtered in Congo’s holocaust. The small pillars portrayed the courageous survivors rising up out of the ashes and rebuilding their lives.

This art, honoring Congolese rape survivors from half a world away, prompted several American visitors to confide their own rape stories. In those tender moments, the artwork helped facilitate small—but significant steps—towards healing.

What can you do to help empower the survivors in your life?

Our healing art involves you—because you matter!