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Stories of Strength mural for Willow Domestic Violence Center

Willow Domestic Violence Center Breaking the silence of abuse

Domestic violence is already a crisis in our community. Add the pandemic that forced people to be home 24/7 with their abusers and calls to Willow Domestic Violence Center’s crisis hotline increased by 50% over a six-month period.

To help Willow create a community that would one day be free from domestic violence, people needed to experience survivors’ stories. Stories that are too important, too big, for any temporary billboard. Advertising isn’t enough.

A public art project with a mission to heal

Rochester is a hub for public art. Public art that tells the hard stories while turning them into beacons of hope. But the issue of domestic violence hadn’t been explored here yet.

To get the attention domestic violence deserves, and give survivors the hope they deserve, we created a permanent, six-story tall mural on the most iconic building in the heart of Downtown Rochester.

Willow Stories of Strength social content

To do this, we engaged world-renowned muralist Sarah C. Rutherford. She met with four survivors from the community to ensure that their journeys were reflected in the art. After hearing these interviews, we knew this: The most honest way to tell survivors’ stories was in their own words, in their own voices. Our honestly creative approach transformed this mural into a monument of healing that is a purposeful experience you can spend minutes to hours with.

Sarah C. Rutherford sketching

Stories of Strength uses an Instagram filter to take viewers through survivors’ journeys.

For survivors, hearing the voices and stories of other survivors becomes a way to regain a sense of hope as well as learn about the vital resources available to them. For our community, it’s an unavoidable message that domestic violence is a public crisis that needs our attention, our compassion and our action.

The Stories of Strength website shares the survivors’ stories for those unable to visit the mural in person. It also provides behind-the-scenes content from the CEO of Willow and from the artist, Sarah C. Rutherford. Lastly, it gives people more information about Willow’s services for survivors.

Since its creation, Stories of Strength has become a staple within the vibrant public art community in Rochester and it serves as a behemoth reminder that domestic violence is in our community, but healing is possible.

Willow Stories of Strength website on laptop
Stories of Strength Website

Stories of Strength is an incredible testament to the strength, perseverance, grit, moxie and courage of survivors.”

Meaghan de Chateauvieux, CEO
Willow Domestic VIolence Center

Recognition

2021 National Silver Addy

American Advertising Awards

Stories of Strength Mural Pro Bono Ambient Media

2021 D2 Silver Addy

American Advertising Awards

“Stories of Strength” Integrated Pro Bono Campaign

2021 D2 Silver Addy

American Advertising Awards

“Stories of Strength” Mural Pro Bono Ambient Media

2021 Best of Public Service

American Advertising Awards

“Stories of Strength“ Mural Single Occurrence

2021 Gold Addy

American Advertising Awards

"Stories of Strength“ Integrated Media Pro Bono Campaign

2021 Gold Addy

American Advertising Awards

"Stories of Strength“ Mural Single Occurrence

2021 Gold Addy

American Advertising Awards

"Stories of Strength“ Lens & Site Pro Bono Online/Interactive Campaign

2021 Gold Addy

American Advertising Awards

"Stories of Strength“ Integrated Media Pro Bono Campaign

2020 D2 Silver Addy

American Advertising Awards

“Domestic Violence is Criminal“ Integrated Pro Bono Campaign

2020 Silver Addy

American Advertising Awards

Rochester Advertising Federation for “Domestic Violence is Criminal“ Pro Bono Integrated Campaign

2020 Power of Purpose Awards

Campaign US

Not for Profit Category Winner for "Real Haunted House" Experiential

2020 Purpose Award

PR Week

Best Use of Creativity Category Winner for "Real Haunted House" Experiential

More Work

Ready to make bold moves? So are we.