Zonta Club of Billings’s art show takes stand against gender violence

From: KTVQ.com:

MTN Montana Television Network Sites – KTVQ, Billings

Eleven women expressed themselves each week in November. It was therapy. The art that followed not only provided a piece of mind, but tangible evidence of a change in mentality.

The Zonta Club of Billings paired with Angela’s Piazza and artist Julie Pederson to give 10 women the chance to utilize art therapy in the month of November.

Their pieces were on display Monday night at Billings Clinic in the No More Empty Shoes Art Show, kicking off the 16 Days of Activism aimed to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

Among the art, shoes — heels and flats — represented those who have been killed due to domestic violence. Startling statistics show every nine seconds a woman is battered and one in three experience domestic violence.

In Billings, the Zonta Club not only provides service to the community through domestic violence awareness, but grants for community agencies, scholarships for students and volunteer labor for local non-profit organizations.

Comprised of 45 members, the group also donated more than 50 blankets to the Billings Police Department to provide to victims involved in a domestic disturbance.