Welcome!

My name is Lilian Agar. I am an artist activist, a Social Work undergraduate student at the University of Utah and an Undergraduate Research Fellow at the Gender-Based Violence Consortium.

I am thrilled to share with you that in collaboration with the Gender-Based Violence Consortium (GBVC) and Utah Domestic Violence Coalition (UDVC), I will be offering art workshops dedicated to emotional regulation and self-actualization, while creating community. In October 2023, this collaboration will led to a Panel Discussion addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and domestic violence (DV), and will conclude in Spring 2024 with an Art Show dedicated to empower local leadership.

This project was envisioned to facilitate community engagement and foster social justice, by offering trauma-informed workshops designed to provide safe spaces for 18+ BIPOC, AAPI, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ individuals who have survived, and/or experienced adverse or traumatic experiences.

• ABOUT: The sessions are intended to be easy and relaxing, with activities designed to invite individuals to join and enjoy the present moment. Each week will have a theme focused on learning pathways to process and relieve stressors through storytelling or art practices.

• >>>> Themes include: Stress Relief, Self-awareness, Resilience, Emotional Regulation, and Self-love.

• CLASS: We will use art as a medium to promote the overall wellbeing of our nervous system, foster self-expression, and create community.

• >>>> Capacity: In hopes to champion connectedness, we estimate that each class will have a duration of 1.5-2 hours and can welcome up to 10 attendees (18+) at a time.

• TIMELINE: The goal is to offer these monthly workshops at selected sites throughout the summer, and possibly, early fall 2023.

• LOCATION: Organizations, the form here is to estimate how many organizations would be interested in hosting these workshops at their location. Otherwise, locations with easy public access would need to be confirmed.

‘UNSTOPPABLE’ IS MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF:

Office of Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

School for Cultural & Social Transformation Mellon Funds to Support TRIC (TRANSFORM)

AND THE GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP BY:

Gender-Based Violence Consortium

School for Cultural & Social Transformation

Utah Domestic Violence Coalition

You see… domestic violence is ingrained and normalized within our society far more than people could ever imagine, it can happen to anyone and is so easily “hidden” in plain sight. Chances to become a target increase even more if you grow up in a dysfunctional family.  For someone who experiences domestic violence, they may start to lose their  identity due the daily reminder that they  should become this other person that their partner “needs them to be ''in order to be happy”. When in reality, a relationship consists of two individuals who choose to be together because they -love each other-  the way they are. Yes, not all relationships are easy but that doesn’t mean people need to live under any type of abuse or pain.

Domestic violence is real.

It doesn’t matter how much people want to avoid or ignore the topic,

this issue is prevalent and impacting our communities every day.

Due to stereotypes the majority of people think that domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence only relates to assaulted women. When in fact, it can be inflicted to females or males (no matter their sexual orientation or preferences), children, the elderly elder people or animals. Around  5% of  men in the USA who go to the authorities experience this from their female partners. Furthermore, abuse is not limited to physical abuse. Aggressors may also impact someone economically, emotionally, psychologically, sexually or through harassment. This is a social issue, which means that to experience it it doesn’t matter what your preferences are, your social class, or how you identify yourself.

Let’s remember that this is not an easy situation to live in.

Many people die every year due to domestic violence, not to mention the impact it has on new generations that grow up not knowing they are negatively influenced by a generational disease. This project is a tribute to life, a tribute to survivors and a tribute to those who have lost their lives or beloved ones in their journey along with domestic violence.

I believe in a world where people no matter their preferences, can enjoy their lives without judgment or violence, where they can talk openly about their fears and dreams and become the key for a healthier humanity. I think that world is possible if we all start adopting a new perspective.