YWCA Northeast Kansas Hosts Concealed Revealed Art Auction During Sexual Assault Awareness Month
YWCA Northeast Kansas Center for Safety and Empowerment is proud to be hosting their 19th annual Concealed Revealed Art Auction on Saturday, April 23rd virtually from 6 to 7 p.m. from the historic Jayhawk Theatre. The virtual event is free and open to the public, but registration is required at https://CR2022.givesmart.com. Silent auction items are available to bid on beginning Monday, April 18th at noon leading up to the event, while live auction art will be up for bid during the livestream at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 23rd.
This year's event will recognize two YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment volunteers for their outstanding contributions to survivor advocacy: Stormont Vail Hospital’s Forensic Team, 2022 YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment Outstanding Community Partner Award; and Paula Figgs, 2022 Advocacy through Art Award. Thanks to Stormont’s tremendous partnership with our Center for Safety and Empowerment, we have seen an increase in the number of calls and requests for our advocates to provide emotional support and advocacy at SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)/medical forensic exams by 375% over the past three years.
Concealed Revealed was conceived by a group of Washburn University students in 2004 as a way to involve the art community in the effort to stop violence against women. The name of the event, Concealed Revealed, was chosen by the students because their art was “revealing” violence that is often “concealed” in our society. The event has raised over $100,000 dollars in the last 18 years and has helped fund several projects, including a remodel of Topeka's only domestic violence shelter.
The auction features donated works by established and emerging local artists, including jewelry-makers, sculptors, painters and photographers. 65 pieces of artwork have been donated to this year’s auction, making Concealed Revealed one of Topeka’s premier art events. Art pieces created by survivors of violence, who want to share messages about their strength and healing as a way to inspire others, are also featured. Artwork up for auction will be on display for public viewing at the Jayhawk Theatre Gallery on Thursday, April 21st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Friday, April 22nd from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with food and beverages available to purchase from Flavor Wagon and Norsemen Brewery.
“It is our hope that folks across Northeast Kansas will take time this Sexual Assault Awareness Month to show their support for survivors by attending this event and donating to ensure we can continue to deliver crucial services”, Becca Spielman, program director for YWCA’s Center for Safety and Empowerment, stated.
The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, formerly the Battered Women’s Task Force, has provided vitally important services to victims of sexual and domestic violence for over 40 years. Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency shelter, individual and group counseling, court advocacy, public education, and case management. For more information on how to help, visit www.ywcaneks.org.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the 24-hour crisis line: 1-888-822-2983.
