By Dave Warner
Kali Kat Schafer is spearheading an Art Show on October 12, 2024, from 6 to 9 pm at Main Street Mercantile in Little Falls centered around survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and childhood abuse. The YWCA will be there with an informational booth as a show of support and alliance to showcase the cause and support anyone who shows up that night, seeking an outlet for a harmful situation they might be in.
Schafer is originally from Oregon but has lived in New York State for the past twenty years and has lived in Little Falls for the last ten years. “I’ve always been a creative type with my nose in a book, and I’m very passionate about animals as well.”
That love for animals has allowed her to become a professional dog groomer. She’s also a writer and photographer and has had shows at Main Street Mercantile herself.
Her interest in photography came about because she had been an avid hiker but came down with lyme disease. “I was looking for a way to feel really immersed in nature but not necessarily push my body the way I had in the past,” she stated. “When you’re looking through the lens, that’s all you see.”
One of her subjects for the camera has been the sculpture in old cemeteries. “I’ve traveled a lot to photograph rural and garden cemeteries in this country. They’re teeming with life because they’re a sanctuary for trees and animals. They’re not going to get bulldozed over next month for a new apartment complex.”
She felt that some of the epitaphs she’d seen on stones had spoken to her, and she found out that in the late 1800s, there was a whole school of people called ‘the graveyard poets.’ “These were people you’d hire to write your epitaph. I thought that was really interesting. Also the way that the epitaphs reflected society at the time was really interesting as well.”
Schafer said that she was hooked on photography because it gave her a way to express her perspective on people and things. “I also really got into photographing birds—they are just so beautiful, and there’s a certain stillness required to capture them.”
She said that she just got hooked on photography because it allowed her to become immersed in this world. “It gave me a similar feeling as when I would climb these high peaks and get to the summit.”
The upcoming show on the 12th, is also something that Schafer is very passionate about. “This is huge for me. There is a movement called ‘Take Back the Night,’ which is something that I have attended for many years now. October is domestic violence awareness month, which is why we’re having this show this month.”
The show is for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. “I think we all know that this is a big problem in our society – that there are a lot of people walking around that have suffered these kinds of abuses.”
She remarked that thanks to the ‘Me Too Movement,’ it’s really been brought to the forefront of people’s minds.
“I feel like when I speak to other survivors or just people in the community, the thing that keeps coming up is, we know this is a problem, but what can we do to help? How can we help people?” she stated.
That got her to thinking about something that she might be able to do, and she came up with this idea of an art show. “Let’s give survivors a moment to show something that they’ve made. It doesn’t have to be about their abuse. We’re not just survivors, we’re people and there’s so much more to people than their life experiences,” she stated.
Schafer said that many artists use their craft for healing purposes.
“I also wanted this to be a community outreach opportunity because there are a lot of services out there that people don’t know about. I’ve personally benefited from counseling through the YWCA, and there’s counseling for folks who just can’t afford it.”
The YWCA will be at the show, and they’re also going to have some folks from Cornell there as well. “We’ll also have some information about programs that are offered through Catholic Charities. Between these programs, there are a lot of resources for people. Whether you’re in an abusive relationship and you don’t have housing, or whether it’s counseling.”
“I was hoping to create an event to not only honor survivors but educate anyone who comes to the show about these resources,” she said.
Schafer believes the biggest resource we have is community. “It doesn’t cost anything. All we have to do is put forth a little bit of heart. Acceptance, community, and support are foundational to people being well.”
“We’re calling the show Solidarity. I wanted everyone who comes there to know you are seen, loved, and not alone. We’re holding space for you.”
Even if you’re not personally affected, you know someone who has experienced this or has heard of someone who has experienced it. “It’s such a widespread epidemic in our society.”
She feels that just showing up to an art show is a way to show your interest in the subject and to help with the healing. “We see who you are through your art and what you’re bringing into this world.”
There is a mixture of art, with several artists showing their work. Some are local, and one is even from NYC.
“I’ve been so grateful and happy with the response I’ve gotten from people who want to participate,” she stated.
They’ll be photography, oil painting, and sculpture.
She said she’s also thankful for Alexandra Tamburro and Main Street Mercantile. “It’s an amazing resource that we have in our community. That space she has created is gorgeous.”
“This is something we both feel strongly about, and it’s only going to benefit our community,” she remarked.
The show opens on October 12th and runs through the first week of November. You can find out more by visiting the Main Street Mercantile Facebook page.