Several community organizations are working on a project that uses art, in many forms, to call for an end to domestic violence.
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, and the Western Connecticut Health Network are all collaborating on Endworks, which promotes a vision “to end the violence against women, men and children and to foster equality and empowerment for all.”
The Endworks project is in its second year and a new iteration, but the goal remains the same — to engage the arts community and promote the work of the Women’s Center.
This year’s Endworks started with a call for artists and other creatives to propose projects that speak to the scourge of domestic violence.
Thomas Carruthers, Executive Director of the Connecticut Film Festival, integrated the EndWorks Project with his open call for an international film festival.
FilmFest52 seeks submissions for public service announcement and micro-shorts from film producers around the world. Students, professional and novice filmmakers, and marketing advertising agencies interested in producing short form projects are eligible to submit. Domestic violence/sexual assault is one of several content areas that FilmFest52 seeks. Plans are in place to have the overall winning PSA played in rotation on a Connecticut network television affiliate, as well as premiered at the Bethel Cinema at the FilmFest52 film festival in February of 2019.
In addition, Toni Miraldi, artist and owner of Mural Envy, is designing and painting a wall mural on panels that illustrate and draw attention to domestic violence and sexual assault. Miraldi talked with volunteers and staff at the Women’s Center “to learn about their passions and motivations, and to hear their stories of serving the greater Danbury community. From these conversations came a clear message of hope, empathy, advocacy and diversity.”
“The Women's Center is very proud of the collaboration the EndWorks Project has cultivated between the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, Western Connecticut Health Network and our organization,” said Pat Zachman, executive director of the Women’s Center. “The mural project will provide a highly visible depiction of the on-going relationships we have established, but even more importantly, offer a creative insight into our mission of working to end the violence. We couldn't be more pleased!”
The completed panels will be unveiled at the Cultural Alliance’s Business Supports the Arts Awards Breakfast on Thursday, Oct. 11th, at the Amber Room Colonnade, 1 Stacey Road, Danbury.
Grace Linhard, Chief Development Officer for Western Connecticut Health Network, said Danbury Hospital has agreed to install the artwork at Danbury Hospital when it is completed.
“We are pleased to support this project raising awareness of domestic violence in our community and the important prevention and support programs available to area residents,” Linhard said.
Through the power of the arts, both projects use visual art to convey the mission of the Women’s Center. Both the mural and the PSAs will engage people who have not connected with the Women’s Center through usual channels.
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The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is the heart of the region’s creativity to help communities connect and thrive. We are a 501C-3 and regional service organization serving 10-towns in the Greater Danbury area. Our aspiration is to improve access and growth of arts and culture to improve quality of life and the economy.