Creatrix Rising – Exploring Stories through Art – Art Exhibit
Archway Society for Domestic Peace wants to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the Creatrix Rising Art Exhibit such a success! From the volunteers and many visitors who came through the exhibit to the generous artist mentors and supporters who helped bring it all together—this event was truly a celebration of creativity and bravery of the incredible 6 artists who shared their creative works of art.
Creatrix Rising is a program of Archway Society that helps survivors of domestic violence explore their stories through art. From September through February 2025, art workshops in a variety of mediums were offered by artist mentors. Some of the participants, which we also refer to as the artists, choose to put their art into the Creatrix Rising Exhibit.
The Creatrix Rising Exhibit opened on March 7th with a great celebratory opening night, with live music bringing an artistic ambience throughout the evening. The exhibit was open until March 13th for visitors to drop in during open hours and enjoy the exhibit in a thoughtful way, more fully engaging with the emotional expressions within the art work. In total the exhibit welcomed 104 visitors. The response from visitors brought rave reviews, with several pieces being purchased, which brought a lot of delight to the artists. Guests described the exhibit as “Powerful,” “Inspiring,” and “Heart-warming and breaking all at once.”
Thank you again to all involved for making Creatrix Rising such a meaningful and unforgettable experience. We look forward to more opportunities to create, connect, and inspire together with our partners.
This Art Exhibit and journey of healing could not have been done without the generosity of our Funders;
UBCO through PRE Fund (Partnership, Recognition and Exploration fund) Award from The Leon and Thea Koerner Legacy Fund
Exhibit Sponsors:
Caetani Centre
Gum tree Catering
Farming Karma Fruit Co.
The Room Collection
Fair View Family Law
Our Workshop Partners;
Vernon Community Arts Centre
Opus Art Supplies
Caetani House
Our Artist Mentors;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Silmara Emde
Auroara Leigh
our Volunteer Committee Members;
Alessandra Woodward
Asana Hughes
Jody Swart
Patty Farmer
Sue Rooks
Charlotte Barker
Other Volunteers:
Maliya Canty
Bonnie Cameron
Grace Erikson
Brigitte Stass
Opening Night Volunteers and program contributors:
• Margret Clark – Community Elder OKIB – Welcome • Cindy Klassen – CR program lead – MC • Micki Materi – Archway Society ED – Archway spokesperson • Cyndie Roufousse and Daughter Mystery – Indigenous drummers/singers – Song Share • Auroara Leigh – Artist Mentor – song share • Orion Miller – musician – Mood setting music through the evening • Charlotte Baker, Patti farmer, Sue Rooks, Sharon Gaudry and Asana Hughes – Volunteers • Photographer – Seraya Klassen
After many months of Creatrix Rising workshops the artists finally got to see their work displayed so beautifully in the Exhibit, at Caetani Centre, and they were so proud of themselves. The main event on March 8, International Women’s Day, brought in more than one hundred visitors to honour the women. It was a true celebration of each woman’s creativity, their accomplishments and journey. Eight artists contributed to the exhibit from clay work and poetry to acrylic and Encaustic paintings. Even though the exhibit wasn’t the main goal of the project, the ripple effects of sharing their art with the community has meant that more awareness has been raised about Archway Society and the work we do.
The true success of Creatrix Rising lies in the impact it had on the women who participated. Similar to peeling back the layers of an onion, at every turn of this project new ways could be seen as to how this art project was a benefit. Here are some comments from the participants; “Creatrix Rising has helped me in opening the door to the depth of creativity living inside of me. It has allowed me a much greater witnessing in myself, the surprise at how much more I have to offer than I ever realized”, “being a part of Creatrix Rising has challenged me to see my worth not only as an artist, but in my day to day life.”
Behind the scenes were so many great volunteers and partners that made it all possible. Hundreds of volunteer hours went into planning & coordination, into workshop offerings and the exhibit itself. The gifts from sponsors, partners and funders values a total of $13,715. This is so incredible and none of this could have been done without them. See below the list of all our amazing partners
I want to express gratitude to all Archway staff for contributing to the success of Creatrix Rising. Big thanks to Monica, for supporting the promotions and graphic design, Kim, for admin support, front line and program staff for promoting Creatrix Rising however you could with your clients, and Cyndie for graciously sharing the warrior women song as part of the opening celebration.
Additionally I thank everyone in the community for coming to view the exhibit.
Hears to hoping we can do this again,
Submitted by Cindy Klassen Volunteer Program Coordinator
Creatrix Rising list of partnerships
List of Funders – UBCO through PRE Fund (Partnership, Recognition and Exploration fund) – Vernon & District immigrant & Community Services from the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program Research Partnership – Vernon Alliance Community Initiative fund – Vernon Elks #45
List of workshop Partners – Vernon Community Arts Centre – Opus Art Supplies – Kelowna – Nadine’s Fine Art & Framing – Caetani Centre
Creatrix Rising – Exploring Stories through Art – Art Show
RSVP is only required for Opening Night
Archway Society for Domestic Peace started an art project called Creatrix Rising in fall 2023, this initiative offers a series of art workshops and an art exhibit for women who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence to participate and grow in. Participants have the chance to express themselves through various art forms, to heal and explore their stories through art. Workshops in clay molding, acrylic, poetry, water colour, voice expression and more have brought the creatrix out in each women. Creatrix Rising was launched because women in Archway programs asking for an opportunity to share their art and grow as artists and because we desire to offer the power art has in the journey to healing. We have already begun to see the impact their art expressions have had on them and it is powerful.
The Creatrix Rising Art Show runs March 5 to 14 – Caetani Centre at 3401 Pleasant Valley Rd in Vernon,
Opening Night event on Friday, March 8 (International Women’s Day) from 5 – 8 pm.
Exhibit open for free viewing the following dates:
Tuesday, March 5 – 12 – 3pm
Wednesday, March 6 – 12 – 3pm
Thursday, March 7 – 12-3 pm
Opening Night: Friday, March 8 – 5-8 pm – this is the only night where an RSVP is required.
Saturday, March 9 – 1 – 3pm
Monday March 11 – 12 – 3pm & 5 – 7pm
Tuesday March 12 – 12 – 3pm & 5 – 7pm
Wednesday March 13 – 12 – 3pm & 5 – 7pm
Thursday, March 14 – 12 – 3pm
The Opening Night event will be an opportunity for the women to feel celebrated and for those visiting the exhibit engage and reflect on how they have presented their stories. RSVP’s are required (for this date only) no later than March 3.
You are invited to join us at this come-and-go opening on March 8. You’ll be treated to appetizers, a complimentary beverage and to join these amazing artists in Exploring Stories through Art.
If you would like to attend our Opening Night event, please RSVP here. (by March 3). Inquiries can be sent to volunteer@archwaysociety.ca
This Art Exhibit and journey of healing could not have been done without the generosity of our Funders;
– UBCO through PRE Fund (Partnership, Recognition and Exploration fund) – Vernon & District immigrant & Community Services from the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program Research Partnership – Vernon Alliance Community Initiative fund – Vernon Elks #45
and our Workshop Partners;
– Vernon Community Arts Centre – Opus Art Supplies – Nadine’s Fine Art & Framing – Caetani House
