MHACG's REACH/CAC Host Survivor Art Exhibit

WARNING: This article discusses sexual assault and child sex abuse and can be emotionally triggering for some people, especially those impacted by sexual assault. If you would like to speak with a victim's advocate for support, please contact MHACG's REACH Center's 24/7 Helpline: 518.943.4482

Each year, April is both Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, an important time for raising awareness on the vital work of MHACG's REACH and Child Advocacy Centers in the community. This year, REACH and CAC worked with the CREATE Council on the Arts gallery in Catskill to host a "What Were You Wearing?" art exhibit, alongside a survivor art installation.

"What Wear You Wearing?" is an art exhibit based on student-survivor descriptions of the clothes they were wearing during their sexual assault. These stories were initially collected from survivors by Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert at the University of Arkansas in 2013. Since the original exhibit geared toward college campuses, the showcase has expanded to dispel the victim-blaming that occurs with survivors of assault.

The exhibition aims at triggering conversations to end sexual abuse and gender violence. "What Were You Wearing?" invites observers to see the outfits worn by sexual assault survivors at the time of their attack, confronting and refuting the implicit victim-blaming in that question.

The "What Were You Wearing?" exhibit represented only half of the works presented at the art installation event, where this year curated even more works of local community participants. The exhibit served as a means of giving those who are often silenced the opportunity to express their emotions and share their stories through creative works.

"This event is deeply meaningful and impactful, not only for the survivors but for the entire community. The strength and courage it takes to create and display such powerful art are clearly central to the event's message of healing."

-- Julianne B.

Chief of Clinical Services

The community came together to raise awareness surrounding crime, assault, and abuse that happens all around us. Students from Hudson High School and Catskill Montessori School submitted works, as well as other MHACG programs of CFTSS and the Clubhouses. Youth were asked to "depict what KINSHIP means to them, how we can come together as a community to support each other after experiencing crime," the theme for this year's National Crime Victims Rights Week. Their works were displayed alongside the works of community members and survivors, using art and self expression to share their story.

One such community member has shared the following story:

The art exhibition at CREATE Council of Arts on 4/4 April 2025 was a community effort with MHACG. This exhibit gave those who are often silenced a chance to shine some light onto their perspective and their experiences in a safe space, whether that message be hopeful, peaceful or tackling some heavy topics around trauma. This art show specifically had two levels to it. When you enter the gallery, you are met with the art works of our local MHACG participants. They offer an array of emotions, coming from many walks of life, the message bleeds through all artworks present. Emulating a feeling of vulnerability and intrigue amongst those observing. The second floor had numerous personal stories about sexual assault and physical abuse. While this floor is packed with raw emotion, it brought a lot of curious members of our community inside to read said stories. It was a beautiful moment for those who contributed to be present, and those first seeing this gallery. Everyone involved couldn’t help but feel motivated at the resilience and rawness of the participants. The overall takeaway I had from this show is that the effort of the community not only gave those a chance to express their deepest emotion, but gave those within the community to resonate and observe from an outside perspective, coming away with a new outlook. These shows are so important to the community for more than one reason. People get to see a rendition of these emotions put into a display. It gives them a reference when thinking of a specific feeling or time in their life. It brings life into those emotions in a good way, making all of the people involved have some sort of epiphany about themselves or others. While I was attending, emotions ran high. People comforted each other, and embraced as needed. It was a tragically beautiful scene to witness and be a part of. I am proud of our community for setting this up and having such an impact on those involved. We need more things like this to bring us all together and acknowledge and comfort one another, more people relate to the feelings that adversity brings more than people realize. I am grateful to be an active participant and the show went so well I am excited to see what CREATE brings in the future.

-- Laurel Clark

The event was held during Catskill's First Friday on Main Street and was well attended by community members. There was an amazing sense of community, with everyone coming together to share experiences in a safe place and show their support.

"The fact that people look forward to it each year and find inspiration in the pieces shows how important this event is in fostering connection and support. It’s truly incredible to witness the strength and resilience of both the survivors and the REACH/CAC team. The journey they take together to bring this event to life is powerful, and it’s clear that their dedication and passion create something truly special. "

-- Julianne B.

Chief of Clinical Services

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About MHA of Columbia Greene

MHA of Columbia Greene is a leading mental health nonprofit serving the twin counties of Columbia and Greene. We believe mental health is health and we make it our mission to advance mental health as a critical part of the overall health and wellbeing of our communities. Since 1958, MHACG has been a beacon of hope offering mental health recovery and crisis support, peer support, family and child development education, youth mentoring and respite, housing solutions, substance use recovery programs, and supporting survivors of assault, abuse, child abuse and trafficking. We are your bridge to wellbeing, connecting individuals, children, and families with care. To learn more about MHACG, visit mhacg.org.