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Exhibition Partners:  Eye Lounge contemporary art space | Your Art Your Story | Arizona Art Alliance | Arizona Artists Guild

“Unspoken: Survivor Stories” is an exhibition of artwork made by artists who have been affected by suicide. For over two years the exhibiting artists have been meeting monthly creating art together. This exhibition of their art celebrates the hope, growth and the strength of survivors.  Mounting this exhibit is a way to promote a greater understanding of the survivor experience.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  Suicide is a global phenomenon that knows no geographic or racial boundary.  It is one of the leading causes of death not only here in the United States but throughout the world.

In recent months, like everything else responding to the cultural shifts during the Pandemic, the group now meets online. The results have been extraordinary, with participants joining from across the country. 

Included in the show is art by Tess Mosko Scherer, David Lloyd Bradley and Kristel Nielsen who organize the classes. Tess Mosko Scherer is a member of the Eye Lounge collective. She brings the exhibition to Roosevelt Row as a way to raise awareness to suicide as well as to way to illustrate the power of art to unify and heal. During this unprecedented time of a pandemic and political and racial divisiveness, art can be a bridge to heal, to connect and to build.  

Mosko Scherer and Bradley are the Directors of the Arizona Artists Guild’s Outreach Program, focusing on the benefits of art in overcoming traumatic life events. Additionally, Mosko Scherer and Bradley head the Arizona Art Alliance which bridges art communities through education and outreach. Suicide is a very personal subject to Nielsen. As founder of Your Art Your Story and a survivor of suicide loss, she is dedicated to the advocacy of suicide prevention and public awareness.

According to Nielsen, “What we are doing is part of a larger mental health movement to reduce stigma and heal trauma. Our mission is also to build a compassionate community of understanding through this public exhibition of art.” 

“Unspoken: Survivor Stories” humanizes this highly stigmatized topic and the organizers hope to raise local awareness about suicide and mental health and reach more people who may need resources for themselves or loved ones. At the time of this writing, Eye Lounge is open by appointment only due to the recent surge in Covid-19.  Please visit eyelounge.com for updates on hours or to make an appointment.

Your Art Your Story is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to research, advocacy and education services for families experiencing suicide loss or suicide attempt.  

Arizona Artists Guild is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1928, led by volunteers dedicated to providing and promoting opportunities in the visual arts through exhibitions, education, and outreach programs. 

Arizona Art Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2000 for the building and expansion of the arts community and Community Outreach. 

Eye Lounge is a collective, artist-run, contemporary art space committed to fostering emerging and established visual artists in downtown Phoenix.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line. Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.

For additional information on the show or to participate in the monthly classes, contact Tess Mosko Scherer, 928-300-7185, MoskoScherer@aol.com and https://azartalliance.com/