IPSWICH — For nearly a dozen years, hundreds of women and their children have been coming to the SAFE Studio in Ipswich, taking tiny steps on their roads to recovery. In small groups led by trained art therapists, they meet once a week to paint, sculpt or write as therapy.
The studio — an acronym for Survivor Art For Empowerment — was founded by Ipswich resident Deborah Moules, who's been doing this kind of work for almost a quarter-century. The need is demonstrated by the studio's growth, with outreach programs now serving generations of victims from Lynn to Salisbury.
The studio is hosting a fundraising auction tomorrow night at the recently renovated Willowdale Estate in Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield. The estate is one of a number of historic buildings that have been renovated under the state's Historic Curatorship Program.
Among the items to be bid on in both live and silent auctions are vacation trips to Costa Rica and California's wine country, concert tickets, and a month of coaching with life coach Kerri Richardson. Deborah Moules, the studio's executive director, said there will also be about 150 pieces of art donated by local artists, including paintings, photographs and sculptures.
Hors d'oeuvres, desserts and coffee will be served, and there will be a cash bar.
The art of helping
What: SAFE Studio's 10th annual spring fundraiser.
Where: Willowdale Estate in Bradley Palmer State Park, 24 Asbury St., Topsfield.
When: Tomorrow, 7 p.m.
Cost: $50 in advance, $60 at the door. Call 978-356-1141. All proceeds benefit the studio.
