#ARTAGAINSTBULLYING
BRING THE YOU WILL RISE PROJECT TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
The You Will Rise Project began hosting Art Against Bullying workshops in 2012. Our mission: empower participants to turn their experiences with bullying into powerful works of art that can be shared with the community to raise awareness and inspire empathy.
Workshops include a variety of projects designed to give students opportunities to collaborate and work independently. Through the process of creative expression, they address their own experiences with bullying and discover how others have been impacted. Ultimately, they learn how to give voice to difficult subjects and find strength and resilience through art.
IMPACT
From day one, we created a safe space for participants to freely express their ideas and feelings. Young people who had been conditioned to fear public experiences were suddenly opening up and sharing their stories with the group. Inviting them to consider painful experiences through a creative lens gave them a healthy way to work through challenging issues. We saw a dramatic increase in their confidence. And we gave them tools to carry forward so that they would be better equipped to handle bullying experiences in the future.
Watch the video below to hear from four of our You Will Rise alumni about how the workshops impacted them.
COMMUNITY
Art Against Bullying not only benefits the participants. It also impacts the entire community. At the conclusion of our workshop series, we host a public exhibition of the artwork. This not only validates the artists, but helps educate all community members about the realities of bullying. Artists are acknowledged with certificates, and local media are invited to help amplify the message.
LET’S COLLABORATE.
Knowing the impact of our work, our goal is to share this program with as many young people as possible. We have a variety of options for partnering with you to bring Art Against Bullying to your school or community. We are available to come in-person to host workshops, join by Zoom, or train members of your organization to host the workshops on your own.
Reach out to us by email at youwillriseproject@gmail.com to start the conversation. We look forward to working with you!
MEDIA COVERAGE
“CCAD Creates Exhibition With Alum’s Anti-Bullying Initiative,” Columbus College of Art & Design
“Victims of Bullying Express Hardships Through You Will Rise,” Ken Gordon, Columbus Dispatch
“Anti-Bullying Art Adorns Flora Rose House,” Cornell Chronicle
“You Will Rise – An Insight Into The Power of Art Shaping Lives,” Arianna Scott, Medium
“Students Use Art To Send A Message Against Bullying,” Glenn McEntyre, 10WBNS
QUOTES
“During the You Will Rise Project, I discovered that I am not alone in my struggle with dealing with the repercussions of being bullied. In addition, I discovered that dealing with things through art is extremely effective.” –Jeri Chaffin, YWR workshop participant
“This program taught a handful of outcasted young people with a bad past of being bullied to feel beautiful and gave them the push they needed to stand against bullying for good. The lasting impression for me was that it taught me that I get to control my own life, not the people who torment me.” –Jay Elizondo, YWR workshop participant
“At the exhibition, I saw our students in a new light, proud of the art they made in the workshop and confident in themselves as they presented it to an audience, transformed by their experience” –Anthony Gatto, ACPA Principal
“This project takes the power of art, combines it with the passion of our youth, and creates a way for them to not only express how they feel, but to heal, and to share their pain and their healing with others. The art is raw and yet inspiring. It allows us to look into the mental and emotional state of these young artists, and to catch a glimpse into their process of hurt, healing, and self-reclamation. Simultaneously, the act of creating the art is itself a tool for healing and for education. The finished pieces, whether displayed in a world-class art museum or viewed simply in an online slideshow, are a touchstone for other youth who are experiencing bullying, and a cornerstone for those of us who are working to break the cycle of bullying and begin the cycle of acceptance. This project moves and inspires. This art matters because all of our kids matter.” –Marilyn Brown, County Commissioner
You Will Rise Project 