Durga Tree-Sponsored Art Installation Features Trafficking Survivors’ Works

Durga Tree International is pleased to announce the opening of “Through the Lens of Liberty: healing in freedom, blooming through expression” art installation celebrating the healing power of creativity. All artwork was created by survivors of abuse, exploitation, and modern slavery in Guatemala and India. The paintings and photography will be for sale with proceeds benefiting the Durga Tree Bloom Program(TM), an educational and economic empowerment initiative to transform survivors to thrivers.

Durga Tree’s Executive Director Beth Tiger is thrilled to be able to present these works to the public. She stated, “The art installation helps people to feel and understand these young incredible people who are capable of thriving and being amazing citizen of this world. I want to tell their stories through creative expression which helps those who are experiencing the art understand the incredibly courageous journey of these artist/survivors/thrivers. We want to bring their stories to the forefront and why it’s important to create an economic and therapeutic way to move out of the slavery cycle because they are valuable to this world. The funds (from the sale of the art) are specifically for the Durga Tree Bloom Program(TM), the economic and education program at the partner shelter where these girls reside. They are just like our kids. They deserve this.”

The show will be held at the American Labor Museum, 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ 07508, from September 3 – December 31, 2016. There will be a reception celebrating the opening of the show on Saturday, September 24 from 3-7pm, with a presentation of the paintings by art therapist Luis Alberto Torres on a special visit from Durga Tree’s partner shelter in Guatemala. Sam Alleva and Harrison Parette, student volunteers who led the photography workshop with survivors during the March 2016 volunteer immersion, will also be presenting the photography pieces during the reception.

At three years old, this collaborative non-profit organization, co-created by Beth & Tim Tiger and Jess Hoertel, has raised over $375,000 to aid in the war against Modern Slavery. Durga Tree International’s mission is to educate and economically empower survivors of Modern Slavery. Through sound business practices, creating economic platforms and educating survivors, Durga Tree supports programs which enable survivors to become thrivers, thereby increasing their chances of remaining outside of the slavery cycle, as well as protecting their next generation.

Additional Durga Tree International events are planned for 2016, including the fourth annual benefit gala in October 2016. For more information on the gala as well as other events and opportunities, visit their website, http://durgatreeinternational.org. They can be reached at info@DurgaTreeInternational.org or by phone at 973-461-6621.