I have been absolutely overcome with a new project… dreaming, planning, talking and dreaming some more… watching it organically take shape more quickly than I ever thought possible. This has kept me up at night more than I prefer and yet I find myself more excited about life than I ever have been before. Something inside of me has been ignited and I can’t keep it from you anymore.
For several years I have had this feeling that there was something new and unexpected coming for me – something that would stretch me and push me beyond my natural abilities. Even though I am creatively fulfilled in my job (and this job, too..), there is a deep need to have a personal creative outlet that is completely separate from my paycheck.
So after much prayer and discussion, I, along with two other amazingly talented women, am forming a new non-profit organization called The Story Collective. Our mission is to be a gathering of professional artists that collaborate on large and small scale events that bring attention to and provoke involvement in the massive issue of Modern Day Slavery. Most people have no idea that there are 27 million slaves on earth today – almost half of them children – and that less than 1% of slaves are ever rescued out of their bondage. I believe that we can and MUST do something about this.
Each year, we will produce one large scale event along with several smaller events throughout the year. These events could include art installations, photography showings, dance company productions, readings and benefit concerts.
Our first project will be The Dollhouse, an original contemporary dance production that will tour five cities this summer. This show will be a raw and beautifully disturbing look into the lives of three slavery victims through the eyes of their trafficker.
Here is a little sneak peak into what we have been working on…
Photography by Matthew Ray. Styling by Lindsey Edwards.
Our hope is that we can open eyes to the reality of what is going on all around us…even in our own country… and that through this revelation people will be provoked to DO something about it.
There is an army of artists already assembled to make this project come to life. Dancers, Composers, Musicians, Writers, Photographers and Artists are coming together in hopes of creating something beautiful from something overwhelmingly ugly. If YOU would like to be involved, contact me through abbye@rockwilmington.com.
All profits from this project will go directly to love146.org.
More details about this event and others already in the works are coming soon. We would love for YOU to get involved.
For more information on the issue of human trafficking, please visit the sites of these wonderful organizations or simply Google “human trafficking”.
Love146
Street Grace and Stop The Candy Shop
The Home Foundation
