Thank you for being here today. This Map is here to guide you through the Freedom Gallery.
This is the Starting Point for the Gallery and the Starting Point for Approaching the Conversation on Human Trafficking…
Let’s start with thinking about the ONE affected by Human Trafficking and each person’s worth.
Piece 1:
“All Who Are Thirsty”
From the Artist: Inspired by Isaiah 55:1 and an excerpt from a poem by Thomas Merton. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and He who has no money, come, buy, eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without price.”- Isaiah 55:1. “Come, in my labor and find a resting place. And in my sorrow lay your head, Or rather take my life and blood and buy yourself a better bed-- Or take my breath and take my death and buy yourself a better rest.” - Thomas Merton
From Kelsey: I wanted to put this piece at the beginning of the Gallery because I want us to look at One child and consider how Human Trafficking affects the ONE. This is a precious Remember Nhu kid who is protected from having to experience the sex trafficking Industry.
Grace Manning
Contact Info: www.gracemanningart.com, Insta: @gracemanningart
Piece 2:
“Worthy”
From the Artist: “Worthy” is intended to portray the beauty of every person. I believe we were created with intention which is one the ideas I wanted to focus on in my illustration. This piece depicts a woman with a baby being strung together in her womb. My hope with this illustration is to inspire appreciation for the deep value and intricacies within each of us.
Artist: Marianna Harper
Website: mariannadesign.online
Piece 3:
“Made in the Image of God”
From the Artist: This piece is based off of the verse Genesis 1:27. God is in the top right corner, painted in white. Then there is a pathway connecting all the different places in the world to God, expressing that we are all made in His Image, all created equal and all beautiful in His eyes. The places pictured are the Great Wall of China (bottom right), Africa (bottom left), Egypt (bottom middle), Paris (middle right), White House (top right), London Bridge (Middle), Taj Mahal (middle left), Old Jerusalem (top left).
Jamie Meechum
“What is Human Trafficking and What are the Forms of Human Trafficking? What does Human Trafficking Look like on a Global Scale?”
Piece 4:
“Light Drives out the Darkness”
From the Artist: When a friend of mine asked me if I would be interested in creating art for a fundraiser that would go towards preventing children from being trafficked, I was excited to be a part of such a great cause. I have traveled to Africa with Remember Nhu and it holds a very special place in my heart. The map I’ve painted represents two realities. One is the sober reality that child trafficking is happening in every country. The other is the reality that there are people in each of those same countries who are pushing back against the darkness of trafficking and working tirelessly against that evil and injustice in our world.
Courtney Vischer
Contact Info: www.vischerpainting.com
Piece 5:
“In a Moment”
From the Artist: One moment can change a life forever. Some victims of human trafficking are taken so quickly that they hardly have time to process what has happened until it is too late. This piece attempts to capture that moment.
Payton Hayman
Piece 6:
“Trap of Hope, Trap of Innocence, Trap of Love”
From the Artist: Trap of Hope- Some victims of human trafficking are taken advantage of as they look to try and better their lives. Many victims are promised work and instead are trapped in slavery like conditions instead. The trapped hand and various crops show how workers hope becomes their burden. Trap of Innocence- It is a deeply unfortunate truth that many of the victims of trafficking are sometimes victimized by their own guardians. The wilted daisies and lilies show the loss of innocence that comes from human trafficking. Trap of Love- Sometimes trafficking is done by those who you are meant to trust the most. Sometimes those who traffick victims first gain their trust through romantic relationships. The wilted roses and bound hands show the corruption of love into tragedy and trauma.
Lauren Frank
Contact Information: Insta/Twitter: @lefrankart
Piece 7:
Eye“ See You”
From the Artist: How would you personify a victim of human trafficking? This piece focuses on the sad fact that human trafficking is all around us. These four girls represent the diversity in people who are being trafficked around the world. Human Trafficking is something that is not talked about and it is our responsibility to help those victims be seen.
Avery Engles
Piece 8:
“Child Soldier”
From The Artist: The Secretary of State identified the following countries as having governmental armed forces, police, or other security forces, or government-supported armed groups that recruited or used child soldiers within the meaning of section 4040(a) of the CSPA during the period of April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019: Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Iran, Iraq, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.”- 2020 Trafficking in Persons Report. We must insist that the State Department use its influence to press these countries to end their involvement in child soldiering!
Jen Hines
Insta: @jenhinescreative
Piece 9:
“Attention Needed”
From The Artist: In these artworks, it displays how human trafficking is all around the world, even the United States! However, there are not many people who are aware of it occurring or simply turn a blind eye. It is important to see what is going on in the world, no matter how disturbing, because then people can find ways to solve or improve it. In these pieces, people who have experienced human trafficking are shown in the color green. They are reaching out and trying to get the attention of the world to show that they are present and need help.
Olivia Mansfield
Insta: @clark_innovations
“What are the Global Statistics?”
Piece 10:
“Silenced”
From the Artist: This piece was originally hand drawn in charcoal and watercolor. I have revised it in digital adobe illustrator. To me it speaks so much without words needed.
Laura Davis
Contact Information: Website: daviscreations34.weebly.com
Insta: daviscreations34
Piece 11:
“Vulnerable Children”
From Kelsey: I wanted to bring to attention the vulnerability of children in the conversation about human trafficking. Our focus tonight in fundraising is to help prevent children from ever having to experience the sex trafficking industry.
Jamie Meechum
Piece 12:
“Hope”
From the Artist: A young woman praying for deliverance.
Sydney Giaquinto
“How do we fight Human Trafficking?”
Piece 13:
“The Rescue III”
From the Artist: One cannot rescue themselves because in order to be truly and fully rescued there has to be two parties. There is one party running out of time, trying to bail themselves out fruitlessly and without aid as their journey takes a turn for the worse. However, there is a second party coming out of the light towards them, trying to get their attention and help them if only they’d notice the help that has come to their aid. Where there is light, there is hope; and the source of both of these can be found in Christ whose hands are those of the second party coming to restore our lives’ light and hope.
Anya Newell
“What Does Sex Trafficking Look like Globally?”
Piece 14:
“Glimpse”
From the Artist: People experiencing human trafficking are rarely seen as human from the eyes of the perpetrators. Objectified and cast aside, they sit in darkness until they are summoned. This piece shows a glimpse in the hope to humanize the dehumanized.
Payton Hayman
Piece 15:
“Innocent No More”
From the Artist: This piece is my journey of thoughts, emotions, and questions. It is my memorial, my reverence to those children who have been and who are being taken and horrifically abused. Children who are innocent no more. We have to make a choice moving forward! As we engage with this gruesome information and these helpless children, will we be moved to choose action? Or will we turn our backs on them? For these choices we shall answer! Innocent No More.
Jen Hines
Contact Information: Insta: @jenhinescreative
Piece 16:
“The Silent Suffering”
From the Artist: This piece symbolizes the overwhelming fate of those trapped in the cycle of human trafficking. Under the surface, the last breaths of the victims caught in the wake of the current is seen bubbling up to the surface, a death concealed to everyone above the waves. Human trafficking is a hidden killer; a wicked current tormenting innocent lives with no one to help.
Isaiah Keiler
Piece 17:
“Into Marvelous Light”
From The Artist: Inspired by 1 Peter 2:9-10. “But you are a chosen race, a holy nation, a people of his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
Grace Manning
Contact Info: www.gracemanningart.com, Insta: @gracemanningart
Piece 18:
“Redeeming Joy”
From the Artist: I just had to paint this picture! The moment I saw it I fell in love. These little girls are surrounded by difficulty in the photo reference, but they are so full of joy. I feel like their situation is such a portrait of how God helps us overcome difficulties in our life, and if we accept the challenge, we will rise above them and experience great joy, the joy that only He can bring. Their joy and laughter is contagious just by seeing them here. I chose to place them surrounded by greenery (green is the color of restoration and healing) and butterflies. Butterflies are another symbol of growth and dying to our old self, and becoming new and beautiful creatures that overcome all odds. Each butterfly is a symbol for the journey each child has to overcome in life. My hope and prayer is that they will succeed in putting the past behind, and look forward with courage and joy for what lies ahead.
Jessica Aviles
Contact Info: Insta: @jessicawhimsy
Piece 19:
“Patterns of Love”
From the Artist: I feel in love with the symbolism here. These beautifully dressed young women standing together, supporting each other by holding hands. They are immersed in their culture (as shown by their dresses). I could just see them standing tall against whatever storm could come by standing firm, as sisters and friends.
Jessica Aviles
Contact Info: Insta: @jessicawhimsy
“What does Sex Trafficking look like Locally?”
Piece 20:
“Right Before Our Eyes”
From The Artist: This painting symbolizes the reality of how prevalent the issue of human trafficking is in our towns and communities. The girl in this painting represents the many individuals who are trafficked in our backyards.
Lauren Cordner
Contact Info: Insta: @laur_creates
Piece 21:
“A Free State”
From The Artist: This piece was originally a simple study on movement. After I was asked to participate in this event I remembered this piece and thought it embodied the goal of this Gallery: to bring awareness to human trafficking and fight for freedom. The dancer is representative of our state, Tennessee, reaching for freedom from human trafficking.
Sophie Ramsuer
Piece 22:
“Rose is still A Rose”
From the Artist:This piece recounts the figure before the incident in the form of a child. How they remembered themself, while comforting the evolved version of themself. Growing and re-educating themself to find love and beauty within again.
Evan Diaz
A Contact Information: Insta: @momothyme
Piece 23:
“Three Sisters”
From the Donors: This is a piece honoring survivors of Human Trafficking. “If he cares for the lilies, how much more does he care for you?” Luke 12:28
Artist: Gwyn Pevonka
Contact Info: Website: http://www.gwynpevonka.com/availablepaintings
“How Can I Help?”- The Hope Section
Piece 24:
“Hope for Tomorrow”
From the Artist: “I wanted this piece to challenge you to hope with boldness. The brightness and symbol of the morning sun is meant to provoke you to not only hope, but to hope with joy and confidence!”
Ellie Sikes
Contact Info: Insta: @elliesikesart
Piece 25:
“All Things Beautiful”
From The Artist: This piece hints at a subtle truth- God can and will make all things beautiful. It’s not always clear cut or without a process, the texture and purposeful raw canvas in places point to this… but there’s beauty and redemption to be found, even if some days we have to look closely.
Ellie Sikes
Contact Info: Insta:@elliesikesart
Piece 26:
“Hope Blooms”
From the Artist: Inspired by a picture that a friend saw while in prayer for someone who was recovering from deep loss. “The light shines in darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
Grace Manning
Contact Info: www.gracemanningart.com, Insta: @gracemanningart
Piece 27:
“How would you personify an advocate?”
From Kelsey: With this piece I wanted each person to understand… an advocate looks like YOU. We can all be advocates and we can ALL make a difference.
Avery Engles
Piece 28:
“Tale of Two Hearts”
From the Artist: This is a decorative lid made out of cast antique pewter. Bowl turned out of padauk. 3 ¼ inch diameter and 2 inch height. The interwoven hearts on the lid shows we are connected closer than we think and the bowl with a red color means the heart.
Adam Woods
Piece 29:
A B C
“A Little Is A Lot”
From the Artist: My intention with “A Little Is A Lot” was to visually place "The Starfish Story” into the bounds of human trafficking. There is power, depth and value in doing one thing for one person; hence, “A Little Is A Lot”. Sometimes the smallest gesture can make a drastic difference.
Marianna Harper
Contact Info: Website: mariannadesign.online
Please say a prayer for those affected by human trafficking and a prayer for the Remember Nhu kids who will have the opportunity to live in this prevention home!
Let’s make a difference for At-Risk kids in Thailand <3
Thank you for viewing The Freedom Gallery <3