Photo Credit: Chester Chan
Family Crisis Center (FCC) welcomed the community to its annual “Healing Through the Arts of Survivors and Allies” exhibit to raise awareness of sexual assault. The exhibit featured paintings, poems, installation art pieces and the new (and Idaho’s first) augmented reality mural on the center’s back wall.
Throughout the exhibit, visitors learned about survivors’ experiences, volunteer opportunities and FCC’s services and role in the community. The last stop on the exhibit tour offered visitors an augmented reality experience and an opportunity to meet with mural artists Abi Cedillo and Mario Mondragon Matus.
Mural artists Abi Cedillo and Mario Mondragon Matus
Cedillo and Mondragon Matus are both BYU-Idaho students from Mexico who connected with FCC through its food bank. In an effort to give back, they pitched the interactive mural idea to FCC staff in an effort to create a more welcoming experience and create an opportunity to educate viewers on the services the center offers.
“The experience from the very beginning, when Mario and Abi walked through our door to the completion of the mural, was a constant reminder of our mission as the Family Crisis Center and the amazing opportunities we have to involve our community in our efforts to serve survivors. We’re fortunate to have their and our community’s art as a beacon of hope for the individuals who enter our center.” – Meegan Littlefield, FCC director
Beyond serving survivors of sexual assault, FCC supports those facing domestic violence, stalking and living through other abusive situations. Some of the services available to clients at the center include a 24-hour crisis line, a sexual assault response exam room, safe shelter for individuals and families, support groups, a thrift store and the food bank. Although some services are for clients only, the thrift store is available to the general public and the food bank is open to residents of Madison county.
“The combination of services available at Family Crisis Center create lifechanging opportunities for clients building their future and healing from abusive experiences.”
– Daniel Flores, FCC public awareness coordinator
Over 120 people attended the event. Notes left by visitors expressed their thoughts on the exhibit, the art and appreciation for the work involved in supporting those affected by abuse.
Everyone is welcome to visit the mural and post to social media to help raise awareness. The mural comes to live via an Instagram filter found on FCC’s account – @rexburgfamilycrisiscenter. Two filters are currently available, with three more being added soon.
About Family Crisis Center:
FCC serves Clark, Fremont, Jefferson and Madison Counties in Idaho. Some of the services the FCC offers include support groups, legal and court advocacy, safety planning, food bank, thrift store, safe shelter and a 24-hour crisis line. The FCC is located at 16 E. Main St. in Rexburg and can also be reached at 208-356-0065.