Love gallery shines light of awareness on student artwork, Christine Ann Center

The Christine Ann Center of Oshkosh paints a new picture for February’s teen dating violence awareness month. Through a community centered art show, Christine Ann gathers youth artists to bring domestic abuse service information to everyone.

“We have an annual art gallery called ‘Love Shouldn't Hurt,’ and this is our fourth year running the art gallery,” Eden Protheroe, the Education and Marketing Specialist at Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services Inc., said. 

This gallery event was created to call attention to domestic abuse, specifically within teenage relationships.

“When you think of domestic abuse you think of a married couple, but domestic abuse can be much more,” Protheroe said. “For example, domestic abuse can be between teenagers and their relationships. It could be between a parent and a child. It could be between friends or roommates. There is no definition of domestic abuse.”

To spread this important message, Christine Ann and its Youth Advocates thought using art to connect with teenagers would help the cause.

“We felt bringing an art gallery into it and letting it speak through those mediums and bring that awareness would uplift our survivors and supporters in the community,” Protheroe said.

However this was no easy feat. The preparation for this gallery goes beyond just the setting up of art; it was  a team effort by those at The Christine Ann Center to draw a crowd to the event.

“We have to do marketing on social media and Facebook, Instagram, and then print out fliers and put them out around town, doing it the old fashioned way, really just getting the word out,” Protheroe said.

After that, the physical preparations began, giving the team at The Christine Ann Center a ready challenge to tackle.

“We’re going to go to the Beach building where the art gallery will set up some tabling, get all of the art ready,” Protheroe said. “It’s not just a set it up and leave type thing.” 

During the gallery showing at Beach Building 240 Algoma Boulevard, Youth Advocates at The Christine Ann Center helped guests to spread the message about teen dating violence awareness month. 

“We get to be there the entire time and we are excited to talk to people. We’ll be there tabling and we will have some gifts and prizes that people can win during the event,” Protheroe said.

The highlight of the exhibition is the student made artwork on display. The Christine Ann Center holds a student centered art show to spread this message, one too often needed in the younger community of Oshkosh.

“We try to raise awareness in the high schools primarily and also middle schools because that’s when kids are most likely getting into their first serious relationship,” Protheroe said. 

Creating this bond is incredibly important, giving younger members of the community a place to feel listened to is one of Eden Protheroe’s goals as a Youth Advocate.

“We’re trying to build that relationship between our agency and kids in the community,” she said.

Not only is this gallery important to the community, but it also stands as a great opportunity for high school artists to display their work. 

“We try to take advantage of any opportunity to show off our students’ work but this one in particular is close to home and is looking for high school student work and it also supports a good cause,” ceramic art teacher Jason Ryf said. 

There was a variety of art on display at the event, giving students free range and artistic freedom to explore different mediums.
“The art show is wide open so we're basically just showing good quality work, no specific subject matter or anything,” Ryf said.

West’s art department recognises the community impact of this gallery, appreciating the opportunity to share student art work.

“This is a good way to get people over to the Christine Anne Center to see the art work and to bring awareness to their cause,” Ryf said.

Christine Ann appreciates the uniqueness of student artwork, recognizing the importance of giving students a place to share.

“What teenagers are able to think of these days is amazing, and their imagination is beautiful. It’s really cool to see it come to fruition through their artwork,” Protheroe said.

The “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” art gallery  is the culmination of hard work by the Christine Ann Center with hopes of reaching a younger audience. The event brings attention to teen dating violence awareness month, an important issue for high school students to understand. 

“It’s a night about love, about support, and coming together as a community,” Protheroe said.

by Delaney Smith

Published Febuary 26 2024

Oshkosh West Index volume 120 issue V