On March 8International Women’s Day, V-Day Oliver/Osoyoos will be hosting “Stop the Violence: A Celebration and Art Show.” This event will incorporate the annual “One Billion Rising for Justice” celebration. The theme for this year’s art show is “Metamorphosis.”
One Billion Rising for Justice is a global call to female survivors of violence and those who love them to break the silence and release their stories – politically, spiritually, outrageously – through art, dance, marches, ritual, song, spoken word, testimonials and whatever way feels right.
The event will take place at the Osoyoos Indian Band community centre, with guest speakers, musicians, the “Break the Chain” dance as well as a wine reception. The drawing for the V-Day raffle will also take place, with a two-night stay at Spirit Ridge resort as the top prize.
All of the funds raised at the event will go to charitable organizations including Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre.
“Any kind of violence bothers me a lot,” said volunteer Norberto Rodriguez de la Vega, art show committee leader.
“Violence to women and girls is an illness in a sick society that is passed from generation to generation when not properly cured.”
De la Vega continued that he believes art is a tool that can inspire and facilitate social change in our communities. In this particular case, he added, art could help to create awareness and motivate behavioural change by identifying the root cause of this illness and imagining the remedy. “This is what “Metamorphosis” is all about.”
Committee member Ursula Wick said her desire to raise awareness of the topic of abuse is what motivated her to become involved in V-Day.
“As a member of the committee I have the opportunity to be a part of a powerful vehicle to increase awareness around this sensitive topic,” she explained.
“Abuse of any living creature is appalling and, at times, is a difficult subject for us to face. Domestic abuse is sometimes an even more difficult topic for people to acknowledge because, as a part
of society we are all in one form or another culpable through avoidance or inaction,” she added. “Art evokes strong emotions and often stimulates action. That is our wish. A step towards action is something anyone can easily take by simply coming out to the art show. That is how healing begins.”
Anyone interested in volunteering with the V-Day campaign can contact Tiffany Beckedorf at [email protected] or go to www.vdayoliverosoyoos.org.
If you would like more information about the art show, contact Norberto at [email protected]. A call for submissions will be available in the near future with further details.
Tiffany Beckdorff
Special to the Chronicle
