Faces of Resilience: An Exhibit of Healing and Strength
On view December 14, 2024 – January 26, 2025
Cook Family Regional Gallery, 1st floor
Faces of Resilience: An Exhibit of Healing and Strength invites you to reflect on the shared strength that binds us and the power of community in healing. Created in response to the devastating toll of gun violence, this poignant exhibit features masks hand-crafted by participants in the Faces of Resilience workshops that took place at AWAACC over the course of 3 months in 2024. Together 14 participants, also survivors of gun violence, created masks incorporating objects of self-expression, healing, and empowerment. During the 2-day workshops, participants were also engaged in discussions around the impact of gun violence and the importance of responsible firearm ownership. Each mask tells a deeply personal story of perseverance and healing in the wake of painful life-altering events—grief, disbelief, anger—and highlights the transformative power of empathy and art, reminding us that pain shared is pain lessened. When we remove our masks and reveal our truths, we unlock the door to authentic healing and power.
Faces of Resilience is presented in partnership with Project Safe Storage, August Wilson African American Cultural Center, The City of Pittsburgh, and McAuley Ministries.
Learn more about the Faces of Resilience workshops here: https://awaacc.org/event/faces-of-resilience-workshops/2024-08-03/