Powerful art exhibit aims to raise awareness of the alarming prevalence of child abuse

PETERSBURG — Victims of child abuse undergo art therapy to help overcome harrowing experiences. Eighty-four pieces of their original art will be on display at the Petersburg Area Art League [PAAL] in Old Towne.

"Overcame: Art of The Abused Child" is presented by the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center [BSCC] – one of the nation's foremost treatment, education, research and resource centers for child abuse prevention. The Petersburg experience marks the second stop for the traveling exhibit which is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

In July, the exhibit premiered in Vanderbilt Hall inside Grand Central Terminal in New York City. It is a deeply personal, immersive experience and part of BSCC's fightchildabuse.org initiative.

Bill Nicholson, the newly-elected president of PAAL, attended the powerful exhibit in New York City, and he felt it was imperative that PAAL be the next site for it.

"It's filled with so many different emotions – from rage at what far too many children in this country and globally have gone through at the hands of their perpetrators to relief that they are overcoming their abuse and are able to express themselves in a way that will resonate with those who come to experience the exhibit," Nicholson, a BSCC board member, said.

Even though Nicholson had been involved with BSCC for over 13 years, he was struck by the images created by the victims.

"To this day, I still ask myself why does this happen? I will never forget the day Barbara Sinatra took me by my arm and gave me a tour of her namesake center. She had me hooked and she knew it," Nicholson shared. "I could not say no. I don't know who could?"

Whether he was elected PAAL's president or not, Nicholson made a commitment to himself to bring the exhibit "Overcame: Art of The Abused Child" to Petersburg.

"This powerful exhibit needs to be shared here and frankly around the world. It has given me more drive and purpose," Nicholson said. "It is an emotional, powerful exhibit but is a sad reality."

"This is a powerful and poignant showcase of innocence lost and, at the same time, an insightful and inspiring story of courage demonstrated by these boys and girls as they emerged from their horrific ordeals," John Thoresen, CEO of BSCC, said. "We're honored that the Petersburg Area Art League wanted to partner with us to illuminate these stories for its general public."

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BSCC board member Beverly Johnson, the first Black model to be featured on the cover of Vogue magazine as well as the French edition of Elle, will be a special guest for the PAAL members-only opening of the exhibit on Thursday, November 10. She will also be present at PAAL's grand opening of its renovated gallery during Friday for the Arts! on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"I knew Beverly would join me if I asked. She said yes right away, in spite of her busy schedule. I knew she would be the right person to help me get out the message here," Nicholson said.

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Barbara Sinatra Children's Center

Through PAAL, Bill is merging his two great passions, the arts and the welfare of children, giving a voice to children who are not heard.

"The BSCC board is the most dedicated group of humans I have ever worked with. Ms. Johnson has provided self-esteem classes for our program graduates," Nicholson said. "The BSCC provides services for free and has created animated videos to help teach children how to protect themselves and identify predators. One of my goals is to get the videos into all local schools."

The BSCC was founded in 1986 by the late Barbara and Frank Sinatra. It is dedicated to ensuring every child's right to a normal, healthy and secure childhood. Since its creation, about 25,000 children have received outpatient mental health and counseling services at the Center. The Center provides individual, group, and family therapy and special programs that address issues associated with children suffering the effects of child abuse and neglect.

An estimated 700 children are counseled annually on an outpatient basis, and no child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay. An animated video series, funded by the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center Foundation, has reached over 100 million children worldwide and generated over 55 million individual and group viewings on YouTube throughout the United States and abroad.

The BSCC is located on the Eisenhower Medical Center campus in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Nicholson's place of residency when he is not staying in his historic art-filled High Street row house in Petersburg. Visit BarbaraSinatraChildrensCenter.org for more information about BSCC.

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Overcame: Art of The Abused Child

The exhibit that demonstrates how brave survivors overcame traumatic experiences through artistic expression aims to raise awareness of the alarming prevalence of child abuse. As many as one in five girls and one in 20 boys are sexually abused by age 18, and 90% of all incidents are committed by someone in a trusting relationship with the child, according to the BSCC.

“Overcame: Art of The Abused Child" was named after Maleyna Gregorio’s piece. Abused by her music teacher, she never thought she could overcome the obstacle of being a victim of sexual abuse. Gregorio was provided with extensive counseling at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.

Filled with art dating back to as early as 1987, pieces range from the written word and clear illustrations of a memory to more metaphorical, abstract displays of emotion. The 1,500-square-foot exhibit includes a private, safe space for reflection and discussion.

BSCC Clinical Programs and Outreach Director Araceli Martinez, a licensed therapist, will be available at the exhibit on November 11 at PAAL to speak about the effectiveness of art therapy. She heads up all Art Camps for BSCC patients.

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Aunts & Uncles Club

Members of the Aunts & Uncles Club are dedicated to the interest of the children at the nonprofit BSCC. The Club enriches the lives of young victims through care provided by financial support. In appreciation for the members' annual $1,000 donation, the children send special remembrances to the Aunts & Uncles during the time of their treatment.

One hundred percent of the contributions go directly to the children's programs and therapy with no administrative costs taken out. Members make it possible for children to receive counseling and necessary services such as a sexual assault examination, forensic gathering interviews and psychiatric evaluations, including on children subjected to human trafficking.

Area detectives, child abuse prosecutors from the District Attorney's office, Child Protective Services, victim advocates, therapists, and the Center's nurse examiner attend monthly meetings at the Children's Center to review cases as a multi-disciplinary team devoted to the prosecution of perpetrators and treatment of victims of child abuse cases.

Nicholson, an Aunts & Uncles Club member, feels blessed to be able to sponsor the poignant exhibit. He invites the community to view it for free in his Old Towne neighborhood beginning this Friday through November 30 at 7 E. Old St. The new gallery hours are Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

For more information, visit paalarts.org and follow Petersburg Area Art League on Facebook.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg: Powerful exhibit, 84 art pieces created by abused children