Uncovered Artistry Community Update: Crafting for a Cause at Lake Forest College

Earlier this month, The Uncovered Artistry Project hosted their second craft party. The party was held at Lake Forest College with help from the college's Art Club. Students were invited to create jewelry and other crafts that would be donated to the project in order to help keep the project running and to support domestic abuse shelters.

The event was a success with over thirty students attending and many beautiful new jewelry pieces created! Check Uncovered Artistry's shop soon for the new jewelry created by the students.

Uncovered Artistry plans on hosting a second craft party at Lake Forest College in the future.

Entreprenurship Grants Available to Domesitc Abuse Survivors

Verizon, which has been working to end domestic abuse nation-wide through its HopeLine initiative, donated $45,000 to the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) grant program. The program awards grants ranging from $500-$2500 to domestic violence victims to help them start their small businesses.

Domestic abuse not only affects a victim emotionally but also financially. Often, a victim of abuse must leave her home and belongings in order to escape an abuser. For many abuse victims, starting a business may be the first time they have ever experienced financial freedom from an abuser.

"For many domestic violence survivors, escaping an abusive spouse or partner is only half the battle," said Russ Preite, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "Moving forward and creating an independent, self-sufficient life is a critical next step. It's our hope that the Verizon Domestic Violence Entrepreneurship Program will help some of these women put their hard-won skills to work to successfully bring a small business to life and regain their independence" (quoted from "Verizon Giving Entrepreneuship Grants to Domestic Violence Survivors").

The Uncovered Artistry Project, which operates a boutique that sells the artisan work of domestic abuse survivors, offers microloans to artisans. If an artisan needs funds to continue her craft, she can request a small loan ranging from $25-$200 from UA's microloan fund. Uncovered Artistry believes in OPDV's concept that entrepreneurship can empower victims of domestic and sexual abuse both financially and emotionally.

Said, Marguerite, one of Uncovered Artistry's artisans who sells her work in the online boutique, "I not only survived, but I've overcome, I've learned to forgive, and I've learned patience."

Entrepreneurship leads domestic violence victims to a more fulfilling, self-sustainting life.

Meet an Artist: The Midnight Orange

The Midnight Orange is one of Uncovered Artistry's original two artisans. She creates one-of-a-kind sculptures that represent both the difficult and empowering moments in our life. Her On the Edge of Healing Miniature Sculpture is a UA bestseller.


About this piece she says:

"I am struggling past something and it has transcended to my artwork. I apologize to share darkness with anyone, but I do believe that having an emblem of expression can help bring someone through catharsis. These have helped me, and if they can allow someone else to experience that place just prior to healing, then it will have been worth it.

I sculpted this because I got discouraged with people thinking they can look at something with a bird's eye view, listen to a problem loosely, and then tell you what to do to fix it. This is for the person like me who doesn't want anyone else's verbal remedies. This is for the person who knows they need to feel what they are feeling and then struggle past it. And it's for the person who knows they are not ready to move past it yet.

We cannot see how illuminating light truly is when we never allow ourselves to sit in darkness."

You can find more of her work at www.themidnightorange.com

Thank You, Volunteers!

The Uncovered Artistry Project is possible thanks to all the volunteers who have committed their time and resources to the project. Thank you!

Uncovered Artistry's Story

Co-Founders, Sarah and Angie, discuss the story behind The Uncovered Artistry Project.

Video created by Anna Kane.

“I was so surprised by how much people did not know and understand about domestic abuse. Already, so many people have thanked me for spreading awareness about domestic abuse. Hearing their gratitude and feeling their support and hope for the future of my project has been the most inspiring part.”

-Sarah, Co-Founder

Meet Our Featured Artist: Sweet Petunias

Retro-Feel Advent Calendar

Sweet Petunias has been making (and selling) jewelry since she was 13. She’s taken many art classes through high school and college including metalsmithing and wheel thrown pottery. She’s also enjoyed scrapbooking for years, and a couple of years ago decided to try to sell some paper goods. She came up with the design for her original and fun advent calendars 2 and a half years ago. “It is an extension of my love of scrapbooking and making useful things,” she says.

"Oh Deer" Advent Calendar