To commemorate 25 years of providing art as a tool for empowerment, A Window Between Worlds (AWBW) is hosting an Anniversary Brunch on Sunday, September 25, 11am-2pm at Hotel Casa Del Mar. Guests will enjoy an ocean-view buffet with cocktails and a silent auction that includes unique “Transformation Touchstones” created by over 70 artists in honor of the power of art in transforming lives.
Los Angeles-based artist Cathy Salser will be honored with a Creative Vision award. In 1991 she spent the summer facilitating art workshops to promote healing at domestic violence shelters across the country. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Salser collaborated with staff at the Sojourn shelter in Santa Monica to provide weekly art sessions for their residents, launching AWBW.
The organization has since opened windows of safety, self-expression and connection for over 182,000 women, men and children through a network of transformative arts programs at more than 350 locations nationwide where art as a healing tool is not otherwise accessible or affordable. Reflecting on the 25-year journey, Salser says, “The fact that today, this window of transformation lives in the hands and hearts of tens of thousands is incredibly humbling.”
In the last few years, AWBW has expanded beyond its foundation in domestic violence to address the multiple ways trauma and violence occur and overlap in people’s lives. Philanthropist and advocate Bill Resnick has been instrumental in this expansion on multiple levels and will be the recipient of Community Impact award at the brunch. Without his support and encouragement AWBW would be unable to fulfill the ever-growing needs of its partnering agencies.
AWBW has also worked to bring awareness to the anti-violence movement through exhibitions and community art initiatives. This aspect of the organization dates back to 1994, when Salser exhibited portraits of survivors at the request of then-Senator Biden and Senator Wellstone in support of their Violence Against Women Act. According to Wellstone, this exhibition allowed for “a ‘window of understanding’ into the strength and hopes of battered women nationwide.”
Author Mallika Chopra has recently worked closely with AWBW to provide a platform for survivors and community members to share their experiences and goals through the Touchstones project. Chopra has provided profound inspiration and will be acknowledged with a Compassionate Witness award.
9/25/16 tickets are available at awbw.org/brunch. Event sponsors include NBC/Universal, Google, Health-ade Kombucha, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
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Their silent auction is live! Bid from anywhere in the U.S. to support their programs and celebrate their 25th Anniversary https://qtego.net/qlink/awbw#
