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Health & Fitness

MAAV's Art Project Depicts a Path of Courage and Hope

A new path is taking shape around Melrose, and it’s unlike most paths you’ve seen. It’s not made of dirt or pavement, and you won’t find it on a map. This path is made of courage and hope, and it’s part of a community art project that’s taking place in the city this fall.

The Melrose Alliance Against Violence, together with Follow Your Art, a creative art studio in Melrose, is sponsoring a community-wide art project, called “Words & Stories That Move Us.” The art project involves having people trace their footprints, and then decorate that shape with images, drawings, and – most importantly – the words and stories that move them to make a difference. The footprints will displayed as a path at MAAV’s 18th Annual Walk Against Violence, taking place on Sunday, October 20.

“The footprints will create a path from where we enter to where we leave, then along the Walk route itself. Your words, along with the words of others, will show that we are not alone in our journeys. Collectively, our words and stories create a path that takes us from fear to strength, support, and hope,” says Rebecca Mooney, Executive Director of MAAV.

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The idea for this art project arose out of the planning process for this year’s Walk and the Candlelight Vigil that precedes it every year. This year, MAAV’s 3rd Annual Advocacy in Action Award will be presented to a survivor of teen dating violence who has worked with MAAV for the past 14 years, sharing her personal story, educating and inspiring thousands of young people and adults.  The community art project is designed to highlight the power that words and stories, like the one that this woman shares, can have.

“Community art projects bring individuals together in a creative act that is bigger than one individual and greater than the sum of its parts, with a goal of building social awareness and action. Small acts combine to make big difference,” says Kris Rodilico, the owner of Follow Your Art, who previously worked with MAAV on a community art project for the 16th Annual Walk, in 2011. “Each piece is important, and the project as a whole is enhanced every time someone participates. It is a direct reflection of the impact this walk and vigil have on the community.”

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Several local community organizations and groups have participated in this year’s project, including the Safe STEPS Task Force, the Team Captains for this year’s Walk, the Melrose Democratic Committee, the Acts of Kindness Club at the Middle School, and the Women’s Health Classes at the High School. Additional groups are welcome to participate. If you’d like more information about the project, visit MAAV.org, or email info@maav.org.

MAAV’s Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil takes place in October, to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The event begins at 4pm on Sunday, October 20, at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School, with a candlelight vigil to honor victims of domestic violence homicide, and concludes with a 2-mile walk around Ell Pond and through Melrose. If you’d like to learn more about participating in this year’s Walk, email info@maav.org.



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