Way back in the way back (as time goes) a plan was hatched by the Women's Sexual Assault Centre of Renfrew to create a monument to end sexual violence. Red Dress Productions was invited to lead the Countdown Project, and Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio was invited to collaborate, and community partners came aboard with offers of outreach support, and workshop venues, public park space, and cash and in-kind contributions, and many community members joined -- and continue to join -- in this many hands and many hearts effort.
In July we held four workshops to generate ideas in
Pembroke, Eganville, Pikwakanagan First Nation, and Killaloe. We recorded pages
of notes and archived more than 100 sketches. In August, we reconvened in the
four communities to review 9 design concepts that reflect the themes and motifs
generated by contributors. In small working groups, community members modified,
revised, and built upon the images that were offered. From there, a design was
produced for the anchor monument that will live in Centennial Park, Eganville,
along with designs for three sister monuments that will live in Pembroke,
Pikwakanagan First Nation, and Killaloe. In September, we’ll build the four pebble
mosaic public artworks with community members. Everyone is welcome to join in
the countdown to end sexual violence – returning contributors and new
contributors. Everyone, all of us, is needed to end sexual violence.
On October 15, 2016 we’ll unveil the monument(s). More
information on that soon!
It's Never Okay:
Ontario's Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment provided funding
for the Countdown Public Art Project.
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