A Walk in Their Shoes: Art Walk and Survivor Stories
“A Walk in their Shoes” is a month-long, community-centered art installation displayed in shop windows throughout the Woodstock Square in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month through the month of October. Each piece of art was created by survivors, many of whom have participated in Turning Point’s art therapy program over the years. This program has provided deeply personal and transformative space for survivors to explore healing through creativity and expression.
We would be honored to have you join us by taking "a walk in their shoes" and amplifying the voices of those reclaiming their lives through art.
Additionally, on Thursday, October 16th immediately following our Candlelight Vigil we will encourage all our attendees to truly “take a walk in their shoes” and visit shops with art displays.
Thank you for being a vital part of our community’s healing story.
1.) Squire on The Square
Freedom
Many of the pieces in the Art Walk were created by Turning Point’s Monday Night Art Therapy group, with each one reflecting themes of strength, healing, and hope. The group created these works in a space where they could share and explore together.
This piece highlights the importance of freedom. In an abusive relationship, freedom is often taken away—freedom to choose what you do, who you talk to, what you can say, and where you can go.
We find people who understand. People to rely on. People of benevolence. FREEDOM.
2.) A New Interiors Anew
I Don't Need Permission
Art can be created alone or as part of a group. This piece was created by Turning Point clients and staff together. Our staff do this work for many reasons: some have been directly affected by domestic violence, some know someone who has been impacted, and some are driven by a deep commitment to ending violence in their communities.
The work can be both challenging and rewarding. There are good days and hard days, but our mission keeps us moving forward—to do the work, to be the change.
"I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become." – C.G. Jung
3.) Apple Creek
Rewriting My Power Circle
Thank you for being a part of my journey.
I have been coming to Turning Point for 1.5 years. Looking back, I laugh now at telling my advocate that I wanted to speed up my healing process! To each his own healing timeline for sure. I have found that these things have helped me to stay grounded, feel safe and expand my awareness. And I truly thank you for smiling at me as I walk these halls, for sharing your experiences and expertise so I would know I am not alone. Just for being you. I appreciate it.
4.) Prairie Community Bank
Stronger Together
This piece is a beautiful representation of how every survivor of domestic violence has a different background and a different story. Despite that, communities can come together to support one another and help to not feel so alone.
5.) Madison St Dental
Lady Justice
This art piece highlights the sad injustice present in our justice system associated with domestic violence. Although the goal of the system for domestic violence survivors is to protect and for good to prevail, sometimes it does not turn out that way. The left side of this art piece highlights how the court system did not feel safe for the survivor while the right side emphasizes the importance of pushing back in the justice system. to protect themselves and their child. It is important to find that balance of trusting others to make the best decisions for you while also standing up for yourself and those you care about.
6.) Artisans on Main Clayworker's Guild
My Heart
I created a representation of my own heart out of clay. I crafted it with care. Painted it with intention. Then I SMASHED it. Looking at all the broken pieces. I put them back together. With gold paint, glue, and glitter. The background is representing the universe. I pressed my painted hand and put my heart on it. The universe is holding my heart. Inside my heart. I felt it open. I stuffed it with notes. Messages of what I would tell myself. Before my heart was shattered. I filled it. With all the words I needed to hear.
6.) Artisans on Main Clayworker's Guild
The Survival Ladder
At the bottom of the ladder represents being in “Freeze”: the colors, the weight, how difficult the next steps of the ladder feel. The ___ represents both “Fight” response and the determination to keep moving up the ladder. The red and yellow colors are also part of the “Fight” response. The steps are so close together, rapid movement without much thought. From yellow, there are 2 yellow steps colored orange, and they also have reflective “Mirrors”. This represents “Fawn”, desperately trying to blend in and mirror exactly what is expected… but you can tell they weren’t originally orange. The hard part is just the beginning. Near the top is a greeting of spikes. The steps are very unclear (and there is even a spider?). But in all this uncertainty, growth happens. A challenge is ahead but all you want to do is keep climbing.
7.) Casting Whimsy
I Am Allowed
This art piece gives different examples of how difficult it can be for survivors during the process of recovery. It emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to exist however best fits your needs. Sometimes, in the face of recovery, it can be easy to forget who you are and what you deserve. The phrases on each of these lily pads are empowering reminders of the strengths that survivors have.
8.) Peacock Shoppe
In What World
The blur of the beginning...ignorant to truths, simply in denial of it all. Always praying for peace, constantly apologizing for no reason, in hopes to not feel so small. I was a prisoner in the shadow of my own life, pushed deeper and deeper into the darkness every night, deeper and deeper into the silence with every fight. My company, my best friend, my children, I was already buried below my world, but now his shovel was heaving more dirt upon my live grave day after day. His eyes were petrifying...his hands were paralyzing...his words numbed me to my core. I remember the ground standing still beneath me as I was running. I ran and ran, but I never moved. Then one morning, time stood still. Reality no longer exists. I might be out of those shadows but into a new prison of frozen reality. I would no longer bleed, I would no longer bruise, but I would no longer breathe either. He was gone but I didn’t know it was possible for him to take my core with him.
He stole my everything. In what world are the good behind bars? Moving from one prison to another...is anyone going to listen? I beg the ones we are waiting on to see me for who I truly am. I beg God to wake me up from this nightmare.
9.) Warp Corps
Warp Corps Youth Program Creates Art Around Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships
About four years ago, I reached out to Warp Corps to build a stronger relationship and explore opportunities to partner on programming. My first meeting with them lasted nearly two hours, and it quickly became clear that we shared the same passions, concerns, and vision for strengthening our community.
Soon after, our staff began tabling at Warp Corps a few times each month. While both of our agencies are based in Woodstock, Warp’s location near the train station and downtown has made services more accessible for many community members. I quickly saw that between Warp Corps’ Street Outreach and Youth Programming; there was always someone in need of a safe space to talk. With domestic violence impacting 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men, it wasn’t surprising that many of their clients had experienced it.
As I connected with clients and referred them to our services, we realized there was an opportunity to do more. We provided free training to Warp Corps staff, equipping them with tools to talk with survivors and bridge connections to our programs. This partnership has reduced barriers to services and created a system of warm handoffs for those in crisis. We know it takes a village, and by working together, Turning Point and Warp Corps have been able to build that support system more quickly.
In addition, Warp Corps began providing transportation for our shelter clients to Community Resource Days, a weekly event that connects people with multiple services at once. This addressed a major barrier—transportation—while continuing to expand support systems. Warp’s dedication to walking alongside us has widened the network of resources available to survivors in our community.
As Warp’s youth programming grew, we also found ways to engage and support young people. We provided presentations for youth groups on topics such as healthy relationships and friendships and partnered with Warp to launch the first YEA (Youth Empowerment Alliance) Youth Group in McHenry County. YEA’s mission is to foster empowered McHenry County youth through community collaboration, action, and support. This provided another great opportunity to build stronger relationships with youth in our community while providing them resources.
I am deeply grateful for this partnership and look forward to continuing to build on it as our community’s needs evolve. It brings me joy to know that no matter where someone is on their journey, there is hope and support waiting for them.
10.) Material Things Artisan Market
Charmed Me Away
He charmed me away. He made me trust him with my life until I lost my voice that I was felt I was in prison of torture. I couldn’t find myself. He broke me. It took five times. For me to break free! Flying free like a dove, a sense of freedom, hope, strength of courage. That I finally found myself free again!
11.) Down 2 Earth
Stop the Violence
All my life I’ve endure nothing but pain, from losing two of my kids, to being beaten by men’s, having your family turn their back on you with no reason. I use to get highs but I stop on my own, because that was something all my kids ever wanted, now I’m been clean for six months. At times I feel like a castaway so I’ve been living from shelter to shelter, not knowing my next move. I’m trying to get my book publish, hoping it takes off so I can get my son a tombstone because it’s been four years and he still doesn’t have one. My little girl have one always and I also want my own house. I want to be the voice for my kids and other mothers who lost their kids to guns.
Help make the change for our kids. Stop the violence. I just want my voice to be heard.
12.) Anime & Things
Angels
Like Angels sent from heaven, you took me in that night under guiding light. You comfort me, told me that everything would be alright. You showed me a whole new path of life. Now it’s time to say goodbye. My future is looking bright. Thanks to the angels who took me in that night.
I felt hopeless and helpless, unheard and unimportant. I lived to please my abuser and his family, constantly making decisions that would benefit him with complete disregard on what it meant for me. I worried more about his feelings and happiness than my own. I lost the ability to advocate for myself, I lost my voice.
13.) Read Between the Lynes
Violencia Domestica
“¡Eh! Sido victima de violencia
domestica y, para evitarlo hay
que saber distinguerei otro
para no saber eso.
No tener contrabercias para
que no exista violencia para
que no ay a ira rencor ni dolores
podemos evitarlo. Llamando al 911
para que nos pueda enseñarnos a nuestros ser
agredidos tengo muy malos. Recuerdos de la violencia
Domestica. Porque el alma que [empeorada] arrasta el coraje
Y ha ira nos podemos practicar la violencia
Tenemos que evitar a toda perdida y a toda
Costa. Peliar no se necesita la violencia ni el agraven de
Los personas personalmente solo digo que lo eh!
Podido superar y ahora me siento tranquila
Y positiva – gracias
A mi grupo chica!”
Thank You!
Thank you for participating in our art installation. At Turning Point, we recognize that every survivor's journey is different. Through this installation, we hope that you gained a deeper understanding of the experiences and resilience of survivors of domestic violence. If you or someone you know needs support, or if you want to learn how to get involved, please reach out to us at 815.338.8081.
Turning Point never charges for services to victims of domestic violence, which is why we count on individual donors, charitable foundations and business supporters in the community to help fund our programs. Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation today by clicking below.
