For three MacEwan Anti-Violence Education Network (MAVEN) volunteers, raising awareness about sexual violence can also involve healing, growth and beauty. Thea Alfonso, Samantha Helgeson and Alicia Laboucane joined forces to organize “Reclaiming Power: The Art of Radical Love and Self-Expression,” a community art gallery running from October 7 through 11 as part of Consent Action Week.

Alfonso, who is in her third year of volunteering, also helped plan the gallery last year. “I really enjoyed working with and learning from the returning MAVENs,” says the fifth-year Bachelor of Arts student. “It was such a meaningful and rewarding experience that I knew I wanted to be part of it again.”

The trio started work on the gallery months ago, sending out calls for submissions throughout the summer to ensure that they would have a variety of artwork to feature. MacEwan students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members were all invited to send in their work, which range from paintings and drawings to spoken word recordings and music.

“The gallery is a place for self-expression, healing and empowerment,” says Helgeson, fifth-year Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Honours student.

The artwork featured in the gallery focuses on the systemic roots of sexual violence, returning power to victims and the bravery of radical love. Though these themes are particularly relevant for Consent Action Week, they’re also something that MAVEN volunteers are well-trained in, regularly working in small teams for peer education. When it came time to work together on the gallery – a much larger project than they were used to – the transition was easy. 

Laboucane, a fifth-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Sociology, really enjoyed the team dynamic when it came to planning the gallery. “They are both such insightful people and open to collaboration.”

Check out Reclaiming Power from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day this week in the SAMU Lookout. For more Consent Action Week events and information, click here.