The Scarlet Cord Film Trailer

Behind the Artwork

At ArtPrize 2014, I displayed my installation, called The Scarlet Cord, through a partnership with Women At Risk International, in hopes of raising awareness of human trafficking in the United States. 30,000 ArtPrize visitors received scarlet cord bracelets as a reminder to build circle of protection around children in need.

In early 2015, The Scarlet Cord was hosted by StreetLightUSA in Phoenix where much of the film was shot. This short film features the reactions of those who walked through the installation during the 2015 Super Bowl. Through this piece, I met trafficking and sexual abuse survivors who also shared their reactions as they experienced my art. This touching film also features human trafficking statistics and information on the horrors many children in America face.

The Scarlet Cord Film Premier is September 15, 2015 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Scarlet Cord film creative collaborators: Producer Rochelle Raimão, Director Simon Scionka, and Artist Pamela Alderman.

For the latest information on The Scarlet Cord film or to schedule a film screening, visit: thescarletcordfilm.com.

Flourishing Through Art

From the Heart

Trees

The cultivation of trees is the cultivation of the good, the beautiful, and the ennobling in man. J. Sterling Morton

My dad loved to plant trees. His love for trees inspired my husband and me to plant a tree everywhere we lived from California to Philadelphia to Denver to Germany to Grand Rapids.

One of my last memories of Dad was when we planted seedlings along the highway with my two oldest children. Somehow he had talked us into helping him plant hundreds of seedlings—an opportunity I didn’t exactly appreciate at the time.

Only a few short months later, my brother called to say, “Pamela, Dad died.” At the funeral, a speaker said that my father handed out dozens of seedlings to a group of children for their moms on Mother’s Day. That story warmed my heart.

As I think back over the memories of my dad, I realize how much he impacted me and my artwork. He taught me how to plant trees, and he taught me how to sketch on paper napkins after dinner.

I now use my artwork to plant seeds of healing. Over the past nine years, my work has represented heart and cancer patients, Congolese women and children, children on the autism spectrum, children enslaved in sex trafficking, and for ArtPrize Seven, my work will focus on hometown heroes. May my artwork inspire you to plant seedlings in your communities with the talents and opportunities that you have been given.

Love,
Pamela

PS I look forward to seeing you at my seventh year at ArtPrize in September! Hometown Hero will be featured at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hometown Hero Unveiled

Behind the Artwork

Hometown Hero at special unveiling event held June 12, 2015

A special unveiling ceremony was held on June 12, 2015 to honor local fallen hero, Army Spc Eric T. Burri, and to help raise funds for the Hometown Hero exhibit which will be featured at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel during ArtPrize 7 from September 23 to October 11. Over 100 people attended the event while enjoying a spaghetti dinner, hearing Eric’s story, meeting family and friends, and seeing the work unveiled.

Eric Burri's parents react to the unveiling of Hometown Hero featuring their hero son Blue Star Moms volunteers with Eric Burri's parents pose with concept art for Hometown Hero at the unveiling event on June 12, 2015 A spaghetti dinner was part of the special unveiling ceremony to help raise funds for Hometown Hero

Special Thanks to All the Volunteers

  • Knights of Columbus 3492
  • Ottawa-North Kent Blue Star Mothers 194
  • South Kent Blue Star Mothers
  • Patriot Guard Riders

As one visitor to the event put it:

Signing the name of your fallen loved one helps bring closure.

Grace Shining

Behind the Artwork

Rose in lock on storage container door

The young woman divulged details about her perpetrators. Tragic stories. One man was a community leader. An authority figure in her life. Another was a family member. The sexual abuse lasted for more than a decade during her childhood.

At The Scarlet Cord installation, this young woman quietly approached me and asked for a scarlet cord bracelet. As I tied on the bracelet, she burst into tears. More of her story spilled out. We embraced.

“The shame and the guilt of your sexual abuse,” I said, “belongs to your perpetrators. The individuals who committed the sexual crimes against you.” Our eyes locked; she never even blinked. “The shame and the guilt doesn’t belong to you.”

She cried again.

One of her perpetrators told her that she had invited the abuse by being seductive. “His accusations are part of the abuse,” I said. “Children don’t solicit sexual abuse; children are the victims.”

I gave her one of the “Healing” necklaces that my friend designed. As part of The Scarlet Cord outreach, a friend purchased the beautiful “Healing” necklaces and added a tiny scarlet bead to each one. The young woman tearfully clasped the necklace to her heart. “This gift will be cherished forever.”

The Scarlet Cord at Acton Institute

General

The Scarlet Cord coming to Acton InstituteThis unique event will offer insight into the world of human trafficking, while offering hope and ideas for action. Elise Hilton, author of A Vulnerable World: The High Price of Human Trafficking will speak about trafficking on global and local levels. Artist Pamela Alderman, whose work The Scarlet Cord will be on display, will discuss her experience of depicting human trafficking.

Details:

  • When – Wednesday, April 29, 2015, 7:00 pm • Doors open at 6:30
  • Where – Mark Murray Auditorium • Acton Institute • Grand Rapids
  • Cost – Regular Admission: $20 • Students: $10
  • Additional Information – RSVP by April 22 • Get more details at acton.org