The Petal Project Workshop, an art event hosted by the Survivor Advocacy and Feminist Education Center, took place Oct. 9 in the Lory Student Center on Colorado State University’s campus. Led by artist Joanne Kirves, the workshop aimed to help survivors of abuse find clarity and healing through clay art. The event was part of Kirves’ broader mission to help survivors reclaim their voice and confidence by using art as a transformative tool for recovery, represented by her Survivor Forest.

At the start of the workshop, attendees learned about Kirves’ background and her healing from abuse. Starting her healing work in 2019, Kirves uses declarations — spoken expressions — to build survivors’ confidence back.

Kirves spoke about her connection to trees and how she viewed trees as a symbol for healing and resilience. Kirves then read the poem “When I Am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver to attendees. Then, if willing, each person said a line or word that resonated with them from the poem. Afterward, participants were given five minutes to write down their feelings about that line and their “tree” — or story. Participants then shared with the group what they wrote.

“The idea is that each petal has a declaration on it, and I was making them, and if I would come across a survivor … then I would pass them out. The notion being that it’s this physical reminder that you’re not alone … and then just kind of have that with you.” -Joanne Kirves, local artist

Due to the heavy topics at hand, participants were invited to engage in a grounding exercise inspired by the movements of tree branches. Attendees were asked to imitate the movement of tree branches twisting and turning in an attempt to feel connected to the world.

Participants were then given clay and a flower petal. They were instructed to form mini flower petals out of clay and write an inspirational word inside them. Coordinator for Victim Advocacy and Education at the SAFE Center Alexa Roldan Espinoza took part in the petal process.

“It was really empowering,” Roldan Espinoza said. “I really enjoy working with clay and with art, and it felt like a tangible way to express support for survivors on here.”

The SAFE Center, formerly called the Women Gender Advocacy Center, is not just for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence but for all survivors. The name was changed to the SAFE Center to better reflect its mission.

“We changed our name to the SAFE center — or the Survivor Advocacy and Feminist Education Center — to just kind of let people know that we’re serving all types of survivors and that they’re welcome here, and we’re also doing the education,” Roldan Espinoza said.

In a later interview, Kirves spoke about importance of the petals.

“The idea is that each petal has a declaration on it, and I was making them, and if I would come across a survivor … then I would pass them out,” Kirves said. “The notion being that it’s this physical reminder that you’re not alone … and then just kind of have that with you.”

The petals will be part of an art installation that is being unveiled 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the SAFE Center office. Passersby will have the opportunity to find a petal that resonates with them and cut one down to have that reminder with them.

Community is a big priority for the project, Kirves said.

“Being in community is such a great way to heal, and I feel like, for myself, I’ve healed so much faster in community because I get to understand that what I’m experiencing, I’m not the only one experiencing it,” Kirves said.

Reach Chace Silvey at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @CSUCollegian.