Drawing from life

Linda Royce is no stranger to domestic violence.

While she hasn't been directly affected by abuse, people close to her have, including an older sister who endured spousal abuse. For Royce, a local quilter, domestic abuse is a real thing, something she's seen, not just read about. So a few years ago when the local Safe House for Women was looking for contributions from local quilters to create one quilt highlighting the problem of domestic violence, she jumped at the chance to take part.

What started with one quilt panel became a six-panel quilt telling the story of a woman, her children, and their journey from an abusive home to a facility like the Safe House, which provides confidential shelter for battered women and children.

"The inspiration is the Lord God, because he gave me whatever talent I may be deemed to possess and a liking to want to do things like these and want to help people," Royce said.

For years that quilt has hung at the Safe House facilities, but on Saturday it will be on public display. To help raise awareness about violence, domestic and otherwise, the Safe House is sponsoring a show by five artists at Barnes&Noble Booksellers throughout the day Saturday. That day the store will also give a portion of its proceeds to the not-for-profit Safe House.

Safe House executive director Linda Garner said the exhibition, called "Art Not Violence," is a way to increase awareness about domestic violence and possibly show victims the therapeutic power of art.

Five artists are taking part in the exhibition: Royce; Annette and Aaron Horrell; Ellen Dillon; and Rochelle Steffen. The art ranges from the visual to dramatic readings. All of them have been affected by violence, either physical or psychological.

Steffen was never physically abused, but said she suffered psychological abuse in her family environment. Her award-winning multipanel mixed media "Family Series" directly addresses the problems that surfaced between Steffen and her family.

"I just hope that victims or people that go through experiences like this will be able to realize they can grow to have it become a positive instead of thinking of it as a negative," Steffen said.

Royce hopes those who see her quilt will gain a better understanding of why the Safe House exists and how the facility can help them.

"It's a shame that a place like that has to exist, but it's a good thing that it does," Royce said.

For more information on "Art Not Violence," call the Safe House for Women at 335-7745.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182