_The Wedding Dress Project was developed as an artful way to help
victims of domestic violence cope with and grow beyond their
experiences; to help teens envision and engage in dialogue about
what healthy relationships look like; and to help all participants learn to recognize early
warning signs of domestic abuse. The project engages the community in a
variety of ways, most notably through dress deconstruction workshops.
Dress deconstruction workshops allow groups of teens and/or adult
victims to deconstruct, re-imagine, and rebuild aspects of their
emotional selves, their perceptions and self expectations through the
deconstruction and reconstruction of an actual wedding dress, often seen
as an icon of both the contemporary female ideology and the idea of the
American wedding. Dresses and art supplies for the workshops are
donated by community members. Art objects and writings resulting from
the workshops are displayed publicly. Acts of donation, deconstruction and
display collectively raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence
and encourage community involvement in its prevention.
In addition, the Wedding Dress Project is deeply passionate about inspiring dialogue concerning gender relations and gender stereotypes. The activities of the Project endeavor to change old perceptions and expectations concerning gender roles and responsibilities, and replace them with an understanding of what it is to be an individual and to respect others as individuals. Deconstruction workshops with the LGBT community and allies of the LGBT community allow participants to be empowered through art making, giving voice to the need for social change and global acceptance, beginning with acceptance of the self.
To donate your dress or art supplies, go to the Garment Donation Page and fill out a contact form.
If your organization, support group, teen group, or shelter would like to host a dress deconstruction workshop, please e-mail Project Director and Workshop Facilitator, Cara Hagan at [email protected]
In addition, the Wedding Dress Project is deeply passionate about inspiring dialogue concerning gender relations and gender stereotypes. The activities of the Project endeavor to change old perceptions and expectations concerning gender roles and responsibilities, and replace them with an understanding of what it is to be an individual and to respect others as individuals. Deconstruction workshops with the LGBT community and allies of the LGBT community allow participants to be empowered through art making, giving voice to the need for social change and global acceptance, beginning with acceptance of the self.
To donate your dress or art supplies, go to the Garment Donation Page and fill out a contact form.
If your organization, support group, teen group, or shelter would like to host a dress deconstruction workshop, please e-mail Project Director and Workshop Facilitator, Cara Hagan at [email protected]