Intl. Domestic Violence Memorial Project Partners with BAVA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2009

International Domestic Violence Memorial Announces Its Partnership with Be A Voice Arts (BAVA)

BAVA's founder Michelle Johnson Major to lead the four Mural-Mosaic for "Faces of Change"

Bloomington, Indiana - The Founders of the International Domestic Violence Memorial announced today the partnership between Be A Voice Arts (BAVA) and the IDVM. The Memorial is a project whose primary goal is to raise awareness about domestic abuse and bridge the gap between pre-existing Non-Profit Organizations, and the clients who seek their services.

"Despite extensive efforts to raise awareness about domestic abuse, there is still a large percentage of the population that is currently unaware of services in their local areas, or is ashamed to approach local shelters for their life saving services. We are hoping to change all of that." says the projects founder, Nasrin Ruby Zoghbia.

The memorial will not only encompass two acres of gardens, but will be the home of a Giant Japanese Lantern. With the help of over 240 artists, partnerships with A Window Between Worlds, and Be A Voice Arts, the lantern will house four 10' x 6' glass mural mosaics.

"I am delighted to be a part of this project," says Michelle Johnson Majorwhose primary responsibility includes designing several of the master images for the mural-mosaics and the lantern itself. Major, a teacher with an eighteen year career in art education, was almost murdered by her husband in a brutal attack of domestic abuse. While her five week old baby slept, her husband violently butchered ninety-four of her paintings with a knife before strangling her and leaving her for dead in their home. Major has now become one of the leading voices in speaking out against domestic violence. She is a public speaker dedicated to educating the community about the realities of domestic violence and how to use art can be used as a healing tool for survivors of abuse. Her destroyed art is showcased in many galleries and she can be requested as a public speaker in your community.

The International Domestic Violence Memorial, is a community-based art project who's primary focus is to raise awareness about domestic abuse and commemorate the over 1400 women who die in United States each year. If you are interested in a participating in the project as a partner or volunteer please contact Nasrin Ruby Zoghbia at 317-623-8005.

For more information, press only:
International Domestic Violence Memorial
Nasrin "Ruby" Zoghbia
(317) 623-8005
dvsupport@live.com

For more information on about the project:
http://www.dvmemorial.com