Medium: fiber art - embroidery

Artist Statement: Kansas sunsets are so magical. Driving down the highway, I saw the sun start to set. The sky opened up with a burst of colors. It's a special time of day that doesn't stay one way for long. Catch it while you can! Before it fades to night. This is my first 3D piece. I love the texture the clouds give. It takes me back to that moment of simplicity given to me by the Kansas sky.

Piece Details: Piece is on a 5.5" x 5.5" octagon-shaped, wood-like embroidery hoop.

Medium: fiber art - embroidery

Artist Statement: This piece is special to me this year. If you take a moment to look at my piece, you will see a world of colors. As your eyes settle, you see a bird and face, then you see the flowers in the hair. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, women have the ability to grow and transform. Through life experiences, there is change and growth! I left an abusive partner exactly a year ago, and this piece comes from my heart. It is a piece of me, and I am so proud of it.

Piece Details: Piece is on a 5.5" x 5.5" circular, wood-like embroidery hoop.

Medium: acrylic on canvas

Artist Statement: I find, as a survivor, you have the opportunity to rediscover who you are in the healing process. This is one avenue of discovery for myself.

Piece Details: Piece is on 11" x 11" canvas.

Medium: mixed media

Artist Statement: I love to do art pieces that are uplifting and empowering statements about women. I am a survivor of domestic violence, and I have been blessed to have strong, positive, creative and uplifting women in my "village" during my journey to healing.

Piece Details: Piece is 12" x 14" set on a painted blue frame. Frame is pre-set to hang vertically.

Medium: mixed media

Artist Statement: I work in Mixed Media Art, and I repurpose and upcycle as much as possible. This allows me to find unique "treasure" in my work.

Piece Details: This is a necklace and bracelet set. Necklace has a 14" chain, and the bracelet is 6.5" in length.

Medium: mixed media, wood, copper

Artist Statement: I am a Mixed Media Artist and work generally with repurposed materials. I enjoy creating artwork, jewelry and "other" pieces. It has been a huge part in the healing process for me through female oppression and abuse.

Piece Details: This is a tear drop collaged necklace. Necklace has a 14" chain and a 2.5" pendant.

Medium: fiber art - knitting

Artist Statement: As a survivor of sexual assault and rape, plus almost 17 years spent in a violent relationship, knitting has helped me recover from the traumas. It is my hope that my wishes for peace in each stitch will be conveyed to whoever wears this.

Piece Details: Scarf is approximately 80" in length and 12.5" in width.

Medium: acrylic on canvas

Artist Statement: The flowing gown in the colors of Spring usher in a new beginning. This acrylic gown forms a butterfly symbolizing both strength and beauty in the women the YWCA supports.

Piece Details: Piece is 15" x 18" (10.5" x 13.5" without frame) and set in a detailed frame with glass. This frame is not pre-set to hang.

Medium: acrylic on wood

Artist Statement: Before the pandemic, I started going into a deep depression. I didn't reach out to anyone. I have been on this road before, as I had a diagnosis of depression, anxiety and PTSD years previous. I decided I had had enough. I decided to write words on a big canvas in black marker. I wrote down phrases that were opposite of thoughts in my head. I needed to get to another place in my life. I needed to release this trauma in my body. Every day for two years, I looked at a word or phrase and kept adding to it. I realized the more I read a word or a phrase, I felt better in my body reading the words. I have also been working with mirrors (art). In the midst of deciding, I made a big mirror with the words, but had not gotten it out yet. In the midst of figuring it out, Tara Wallace called me asking about an art piece. She said bookends, and I made them. I felt it was right on time. As we continually see what we want, everything changes. The more I see the words, the more I release. Also, my childhood trauma mind is being released, and who I am is coming to the surface to survive and thrive.

Piece Details: Each bookend is 14.5" in length, 15.5" in height and 5.5" in width.

Medium: netted glass seed beads

Artist Statement: During the pandemic, we've all become more conscious of our human need for connection. Indeed, it is the driving force of many of our decisions.

I chose the netting technique because every bead depends on its connection to the next bead to create the necklace. Purple is the domestic violence awareness color, and teal is the sexual violence awareness color.

The design symbolizes these connections. With every stitch, I marveled at the persistence and resilience of the YWCA folks to keep us all connected, to keep serving survivors, to keep our work moving forward during this pandemic. With gratitude, "Connected" is dedicated to them.

Piece Details: Piece has a 9" chain.