Letting the Art Do the Healing
Workshops help survivors get their trauma out through creativity
Artist and survivor Cathy Salser always knew she wanted to use her art to make a difference. So, for the last two-and-a-half decades, she’s been running the nonprofit organization A Window Between Worlds to help survivors of trauma heal through creating art. Located in California, they offer workshops in domestic violence shelters throughout 28 states. We asked Salser to share her artistic vision for healing.
DomesticShelters: How did you come up with the idea to help domestic violence survivors through making art?
Salser: One summer 25 years ago, a friend asked, ‘What’s your greatest vision?’ I told her I wanted to share art that would make a difference. I grew up with domestic violence and art was a touchstone of safety, a way to grow and connect with people without words.