The Archway Society for Domestic Peace collaborated with local artists and UBCO student Asana Hughes, from the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, to launch Creatrix Rising, a transformative program that combined art workshops and a public exhibition to support and celebrate women survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
From September 2023 to March 2025 the Creatrix Rising project offered a series of art workshops that aimed to provide participants with a creative outlet for healing, storytelling, and self-expression. Workshops were on a variety of art forms, including watercolors, acrylics, clay, poetry, encaustics, and mandalas.
“[Creatrix Rising] empowers women of the community who have lived experience with violence to embrace their creativity and gain new tools for healthy expression and displays the role that art can have in developing emotional well-being, healing, and growth of the individual.”
— Asana Hughes, Student, UBC Okanagan
An art exhibit to showcase all their amazing work was held at a Caetani Centre in March 2024, and will be held once again March 7-13, 2025. A key outcome of the program was participants’ pride in their artwork, as they uncovered hidden talents and discovered new ways to process their experiences.
See below for project details and project report with co-leads Cindy Klassen and Asana Hughes.
Project Details
Project Title: Creatrix Rising
Project co-leads:
- Cindy Klassen, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Archway Society for Domestic Peace
- Asana Hughes, Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, UBC Okanagan.
Project duration: September 2023 – March 2024 and September 2024 – March 2025
Learn more:
This project was supported by the Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund in 2023 and 2024.
Project Report with Cindy Klassen and Asana Hughes
Why is this project important?
Cindy Klassen (Archway Society Co-Applicant): The participants found pride in themselves and growth as artists while healing through the process of making art. Some created art for the first time and felt pride seeing it displayed professionally. Sharing their work and stories allowed them to find their voice while receiving validation, healing, and greater confidence in all areas of life.
Asana Hughes (UBCO Co-Applicant): This project empowered women with lived experiences of violence, providing them with tools for creative expression and emotional well-being through healthy expression. It highlighted art’s role in healing and personal growth.
Comments from participants:
- “…being a part of Creatrix Rising has challenged me to see my worth not only as an artist, but in my day-to-day life.”
- “[Creatrix Rising] helped me in opening the door to the depth of creativity living inside of me. It has allowed me a much greater witnessing in myself; the surprise at how much more I have to offer than I ever realized.”
What strengths did each party bring to the project?
Cindy: Archway Society’s mission and connections of working with women with lived experience with violence allowed us to easily reach participants and organize workshops. My leadership and volunteer coordination skills supported aspects of the project as I was the liaison with participants, overseeing the workshops and exhibit. Asana’s expertise in art and community connections were invaluable, especially in securing discounted supplies and engaging with exhibit attendees.
Asana: Cindy’s organizational skills and dedication created a safe, supportive and holistic environment for participants, especially in building this project from the ground up having no previous model to refer to. The inclusion of diverse art mentors enriched the program, allowing participants to explore various forms of creative expression.
During the project, what opportunities did participants have to teach, learn, or do research?
Cindy: Participants learned various art mediums and techniques, including watercolour, acrylic, clay, poetry, encaustic and mandalas. Artist mentors brought additional lessons in valuing one’s own art, giving participants the opportunity to gain insights into valuing their creative expression and themselves, develop peer-to-peer support, and find joy in creation.
What was your favourite outcome or experience?
Cindy: Seeing participants’ pride when their art was displayed in the gallery was unforgettable. The joy they experienced and the comments about how much it had meant to them were immensely valuable. The community’s reaction to their impactful work in the exhibit was equally rewarding.
Asana: Witnessing the transformative power of art and the vibrant community response at the exhibit opening were highlights for me.
Can you share a few lessons you learned during your project?
- Establish clear expectations for mentors and participants from the start.
- Provide counseling support to address emotions during the exhibit.
- Community partnerships accelerate success.
What is next for this project?
Cindy: We plan to host follow-up workshops and encourage participants to continue at the Vernon Community Arts Centre, where memberships were gifted.
The second iteration of Creatrix Rising Art Show will be held March 2025.