By Amy Swanoski, FOX 21 News 

SUPERIOR - A local community project has survivors of domestic violence 'creating a journey into healing with art.'

According to the American Institute on Domestic Violence, 5.3 million women are abused each year.  Locally, Northland women are urging survivors of that violence to use art as a healing tool.

University of Minnesota-Duluth masters of liberal studies student Susan Meyers is using art to empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence.  "It's always been something i've wanted to do."

Along with aspiring art therapists from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, she's starting a project using art to celebrate the healing process.

"It's a way to break the silence," she says.  "It's a way to just heal and a way that you don't necessarily have to use words."

Meyers is leading 8 workshops throughout the summer at the North End Arts Council of Superior, each week creating a new work of art... The first was Monday.
"We're creating a journey of healing through art and the first project tonight is post cards," says Meyers.

For that project, you take a piece of paper, write down fears or put-downs, tear it up, and then use the pieces to create post cards.

Volunteer Jennifer Salo says art helps people speak in a unique way.

"A lot of people have a hard time just opening up and talking and I think that art is a great medium for opening up and expressing yourself in a way words can't."

She hopes art will helps others like it helped her.  "I myself am a survivor and I've found art to be a very healing path whether it be collage or drawing or photography... Anything-I think- that is a way to express yourself freely and you don't have to hold back."

Salo hopes the art will work as a catalyst to communicate topics that are tough to talk about.  "I really hope that they are able to free themselves from a little bit from the pain and from all of the emotions that come along with violence in the home whether it be physical or emotional or mental."

Meyers says she hopes the project will inspire, "anything is possible, no matter what your situation, there's always something out there that you can do... That you can change."

There are 7 more workshops throughout the summer.  The next is Monday, May 11th at 5:30 p.m. on the second floor of the North End Arts Council of Superior.

The creations will be showcased in an art show there on Friday, October 2 at 6 p.m.

For more information about the workshops contact Susan Meyers at 218-590-1651.