UNBOUND Closing Reception & Panel Discussion
Join us on May 4, 2023 at 7 p.m. for the UNBOUND closing reception and panel discussion!
ABOUT
UNBOUND: Art by survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence
This powerful exhibition showcases works of art by underrepresented survivor artists of domestic abuse and sexual assault and includes interdisciplinary works that may address emotional abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, grooming, and/or exploring the use of art as a mechanism for healing from trauma. It is curated by Visual Artist, Designer, and Creative Contractor Meredith Connelly with support from Safe Alliance.
THE CLOSING RECEPTION:
In celebration of UNBOUND's final night open to the public, please join us for a special closing reception and panel discussion on May 4th from 7-8:30 p.m. Please note check-in will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 7:15 p.m.
PERFORMANCES:
Guerilla Poets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of spoken word artists, visual artists, and other art forms who provide art, music, and poetry/writing programs to all ages of individuals in shelters, schools, and more! Guerilla Poets would like every person to have access to the healing power of the arts.
THE POETS:
Shane Manier is a Creative Coach, Visual Artist, Tedx Keynote Speaker, Trauma Informed Care Instructor, Poetry Mentor and National Spoken Word Poet based in the Charlotte Metro Region of NC. She is the founder of Guerilla Poets, a nonprofit art collective with branches in the US and UK and the founder of The National Poetry Month Summit, an online summit that connects and supports poets all across the US. She is the Spoken Word and Arts Teaching Instructor for The Harvey B. Gantt Center, Arts Empowerment Project, Henderson High School, Playing for Others, as well as Center for Faith in the Arts permanent Artist in Residence. In 2011 she was the youngest poet to ever be inducted in the Poetry Council of North Carolina, and was honored as a finalist for Poet Laureate of Charlotte NC in 2022. She has been recognized as a National Poet performing with Respect Da Mic Slam Team from 2017-2020. She is the author of three books, “Fallen Heroes of the Awful Waffle” published through Main Street Rag in 2017, “Divine Disturbances” published in 2020, and “Road Hunger” 2021. In 2015 she released her first poetry album, “Bootstraps,” her second album, “Carrier Pigeons” in 2019, and third album “Shanesaw: The Remainder” in 2022.
Elaine C. Hill is the author of two published collections, Sing Home Back to Me and A Thousand Small. Her written work has appeared in Of Earth and Sky, Wingless Dreamer, Levee, and Contrary Magazine. Hill received her M.A. in English Linguistics and her B.A. in Cognitive Science at University of Virginia and has studied in the poetry slam community since 2016. Her performances are featured on CarolinaPoets podcast, Angry Cow Poetry, and Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Andria Shores Porter, aka Cahuita, has been with Guerilla Poets since 2017. Her Guerilla Poet’s name, Cahuita, is drawn from a remote beach town on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. The town has dirt roads, and was the site of her spiritual renewal when she began her new life in 2013. Andria’s primary focus in recent years has been on social justice issues, such as Native American rights and the rights of indigenous peoples throughout the world. She studied international law and human rights at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. She has participated twice as an international election observer in Honduras. Her Master’s thesis included extensive research on the religious, economic, and environmental impact of multinational corporations in Honduras and Central America. She has completed PhD coursework in philosophy at Faulkner University and her dissertation is in process and concentrated in the field of moral philosophy and ethics. However, being a Guerilla Poet is one of the most important areas of her life.
THE PANEL:
Melody Gross, Moderator
Survivor and panel moderator Melody Gross is the owner of Courageous SHIFT, a speaker and consulting agency. Courageous SHIFT provides companies with keynotes, trainings, and policies to address the impact of domestic violence on the workplace. She is also the founder of the Eva Lee Parker Fund, whose mission is to disrupt domestic violence in our communities.
Amy Hipple, Panelist
Amy Hipple is a certified art therapist and exhibiting UNBOUND Community Wall artist. Her style of abstract painting explores the use of color, line, and application of paint. Amy’s background and training as an Art Therapist has provided keen insight into the use of creating art as a means to self-exploration, healing, and transformation. She believes in the power of art-making as a universal language that can become a catalyst for healing.
Alyce Christina Vallejo, Panelist
Alyce Cristina Vallejo is a lifelong student of movement and self-discovery. She has trained in Ballet and Modern styles of dance for 20+ years and is a certified yoga teacher. Alyce has performed with several local and regional companies, including Kinetic Works, Guest Artist for the Charlotte Youth Ballet, CPCC Summer Theater, and Moving Poets Charlotte/Berlin. Alyce is also a survivor and UNBOUND Gallery artist.
Sexual Trauma Resource Center Panelists, Safe Alliance
Safe Alliance's Sexual Trauma Resource Center provides a continuum of services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including: 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope Line: a free, safe, confidential 24/7 hotline staffed by highly-trained advocates, assistance in client's primary/preferred language, safety planning, crisis intervention, counseling (remote or in-person), support groups for adults and children. They also provide ongoing advocacy, education, and emotional support to victims and their non-offending loved ones.
Jamie Child, Panelist
Jamie is the Advocate Supervisor for Safe Alliance’s Sexual Trauma Resource Center. Jamie has a passion for ending inter-personal violence and uses her education and experience to serve survivors of sexual violence.
Hayley Hawkins, Panelist
Hayley is an advocate at Safe Alliance’s Sexual Trauma Resource Center. She has a social work background and has been in the anti-violence field since 2017.
Both Hayley and Jamie serve as co-chairs of the outreach committee for the Mecklenburg County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
REFRESHMENTS:
Divine Barrel Brewing will host a cash bar with a selection of their wonderful local beers and NoDa Brewing Company has donated their HOP₂O sparkling waters for a refreshing non-alcoholic option! Refreshments will be available throughout the duration of the event.
EVENT SCHEDULE
6:45-7:15 p.m. | Registration Check-in
7:15 | Program Commencement
7:15- 7:30 p.m. | Guerilla Poets Performances
7:30-8:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion
Please email [email protected] for additional questions or to join the waitlist in the instance the event is at capacity.
Banner Image Credit: Detail of Sofia Fernandez's Mase Genealogy on view in the exhibition.
UNBOUND: Art by survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence
This powerful exhibition showcases works of art by underrepresented survivor artists of domestic abuse and sexual assault and includes interdisciplinary works that may address emotional abuse, physical abuse, financial abuse, grooming, and/or exploring the use of art as a mechanism for healing from trauma. It is curated by Visual Artist, Designer, and Creative Contractor Meredith Connelly with support from Safe Alliance.
THE CLOSING RECEPTION:
In celebration of UNBOUND's final night open to the public, please join us for a special closing reception and panel discussion on May 4th from 7-8:30 p.m. Please note check-in will begin at 6:45 p.m. and the program will begin promptly at 7:15 p.m.
PERFORMANCES:
Guerilla Poets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit made up of spoken word artists, visual artists, and other art forms who provide art, music, and poetry/writing programs to all ages of individuals in shelters, schools, and more! Guerilla Poets would like every person to have access to the healing power of the arts.
THE POETS:
Shane Manier is a Creative Coach, Visual Artist, Tedx Keynote Speaker, Trauma Informed Care Instructor, Poetry Mentor and National Spoken Word Poet based in the Charlotte Metro Region of NC. She is the founder of Guerilla Poets, a nonprofit art collective with branches in the US and UK and the founder of The National Poetry Month Summit, an online summit that connects and supports poets all across the US. She is the Spoken Word and Arts Teaching Instructor for The Harvey B. Gantt Center, Arts Empowerment Project, Henderson High School, Playing for Others, as well as Center for Faith in the Arts permanent Artist in Residence. In 2011 she was the youngest poet to ever be inducted in the Poetry Council of North Carolina, and was honored as a finalist for Poet Laureate of Charlotte NC in 2022. She has been recognized as a National Poet performing with Respect Da Mic Slam Team from 2017-2020. She is the author of three books, “Fallen Heroes of the Awful Waffle” published through Main Street Rag in 2017, “Divine Disturbances” published in 2020, and “Road Hunger” 2021. In 2015 she released her first poetry album, “Bootstraps,” her second album, “Carrier Pigeons” in 2019, and third album “Shanesaw: The Remainder” in 2022.
Elaine C. Hill is the author of two published collections, Sing Home Back to Me and A Thousand Small. Her written work has appeared in Of Earth and Sky, Wingless Dreamer, Levee, and Contrary Magazine. Hill received her M.A. in English Linguistics and her B.A. in Cognitive Science at University of Virginia and has studied in the poetry slam community since 2016. Her performances are featured on CarolinaPoets podcast, Angry Cow Poetry, and Nuyorican Poets Cafe.
Andria Shores Porter, aka Cahuita, has been with Guerilla Poets since 2017. Her Guerilla Poet’s name, Cahuita, is drawn from a remote beach town on the Atlantic coast of Costa Rica. The town has dirt roads, and was the site of her spiritual renewal when she began her new life in 2013. Andria’s primary focus in recent years has been on social justice issues, such as Native American rights and the rights of indigenous peoples throughout the world. She studied international law and human rights at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. She has participated twice as an international election observer in Honduras. Her Master’s thesis included extensive research on the religious, economic, and environmental impact of multinational corporations in Honduras and Central America. She has completed PhD coursework in philosophy at Faulkner University and her dissertation is in process and concentrated in the field of moral philosophy and ethics. However, being a Guerilla Poet is one of the most important areas of her life.
THE PANEL:
Melody Gross, Moderator
Survivor and panel moderator Melody Gross is the owner of Courageous SHIFT, a speaker and consulting agency. Courageous SHIFT provides companies with keynotes, trainings, and policies to address the impact of domestic violence on the workplace. She is also the founder of the Eva Lee Parker Fund, whose mission is to disrupt domestic violence in our communities.
Amy Hipple, Panelist
Amy Hipple is a certified art therapist and exhibiting UNBOUND Community Wall artist. Her style of abstract painting explores the use of color, line, and application of paint. Amy’s background and training as an Art Therapist has provided keen insight into the use of creating art as a means to self-exploration, healing, and transformation. She believes in the power of art-making as a universal language that can become a catalyst for healing.
Alyce Christina Vallejo, Panelist
Alyce Cristina Vallejo is a lifelong student of movement and self-discovery. She has trained in Ballet and Modern styles of dance for 20+ years and is a certified yoga teacher. Alyce has performed with several local and regional companies, including Kinetic Works, Guest Artist for the Charlotte Youth Ballet, CPCC Summer Theater, and Moving Poets Charlotte/Berlin. Alyce is also a survivor and UNBOUND Gallery artist.
Sexual Trauma Resource Center Panelists, Safe Alliance
Safe Alliance's Sexual Trauma Resource Center provides a continuum of services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including: 24/7 Greater Charlotte Hope Line: a free, safe, confidential 24/7 hotline staffed by highly-trained advocates, assistance in client's primary/preferred language, safety planning, crisis intervention, counseling (remote or in-person), support groups for adults and children. They also provide ongoing advocacy, education, and emotional support to victims and their non-offending loved ones.
Jamie Child, Panelist
Jamie is the Advocate Supervisor for Safe Alliance’s Sexual Trauma Resource Center. Jamie has a passion for ending inter-personal violence and uses her education and experience to serve survivors of sexual violence.
Hayley Hawkins, Panelist
Hayley is an advocate at Safe Alliance’s Sexual Trauma Resource Center. She has a social work background and has been in the anti-violence field since 2017.
Both Hayley and Jamie serve as co-chairs of the outreach committee for the Mecklenburg County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
REFRESHMENTS:
Divine Barrel Brewing will host a cash bar with a selection of their wonderful local beers and NoDa Brewing Company has donated their HOP₂O sparkling waters for a refreshing non-alcoholic option! Refreshments will be available throughout the duration of the event.
EVENT SCHEDULE
6:45-7:15 p.m. | Registration Check-in
7:15 | Program Commencement
7:15- 7:30 p.m. | Guerilla Poets Performances
7:30-8:30 p.m. | Panel Discussion
Please email [email protected] for additional questions or to join the waitlist in the instance the event is at capacity.
Banner Image Credit: Detail of Sofia Fernandez's Mase Genealogy on view in the exhibition.
LOCATION
Date & Time
May 4, 2023, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
