Every month, Peer Health Advocates (PHAs) gather at The Institute for Community Research (ICR) to build their knowledge and skills, socialize, and discuss important issues in their communities. Members of the Community Advocacy Group have been trained to do harm reduction and HIV prevention outreach to people using drugs in Hartford. Over the last several months, the PHAs have engaged in interactive sessions where they create art that tells their personal life stories. They were asked to create harm reduction posters and worked on making quilt squares as part of a large AIDS Awareness quilt, which will be part of ICR's permanent art collection. Their work will be on display at ICR’s Jean J. Schensul Community Gallery, 2 Hartford Square West, Ste. 100 (146 Wyllys St) in Hartford, from November 16-26, 2007. Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm, or by appointment.

The artwork includes collage, masks, paintings, drawings, posters, photographs, and quotes. On the main wall is a large quilt with squares created by all members of the group. Portraits of the artists and quotes describing their participation in the program are posted around it. To create their work, PHAs used every day items such as watches, branches, stones, and felt. Much of their writing includes hopeful messages about the power of change, memories of family members, and religious text about redemption. Colleen Coleman, ICR’s Artistic Director, worked closely with the PHAs as they prepared for the show. “We all could see the interest and excitement growing within the group as the PHAs began to open up about their life experiences while developing ideas for their artwork,” she says. “One PHA told me this project allowed him to sit with his mother for the first time in many years, because she was helping him to sew his quilt square. I’m proud to have been part of what seemed to be a life altering project.”

The exhibit is an opportunity for the PHAs to tell to the community at large about their personal lives, in the hopes that others will learn from their experiences. Most of the artists featured in the exhibit have been meeting regularly at ICR, and conducting community outreach, for over 5 years. “When we recruited PHAs several years ago, they had to use drugs to be eligible for the study,” says Maria Martinez, who coordinates ICR’s Risk Avoidance Partnership. “But since being in the program, a lot of them have entered recovery, and because of their work, they see themselves in a more positive light now.” The PHAs emphasize that the program gives them a sense of purpose by helping others. “When I see people on the street, I can say I’ve been there,” says one PHA. “It’s a reason to stay sober,” says another. According to a third artist, “The reward is the fact that I’m educating somebody and giving knowledge that I’ve learned to the community about HIV/AIDS.” One artist featured in the exhibit has been HIV positive for 21 years; “I am a survivor, not a victim,” she says. “For me, this exhibit is my way of telling my family and the community that I’m doing something positive.” For more information about the exhibit, please contact Colleen Coleman at 860-278-2044 x310.

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The Institute for Community Research is an independent, nonprofit organization that conducts applied research and community enhancement programs to promote equal access to health, education, and cultural resources.