Local artist Dale Shubert, with the mural she created at the WIN offices.
When Dale Shubert saw the freshly painted but bare walls of WIN’s workroom, she instantly thought, “What a great place for a mural!”
Volunteers, including her son, Joseph, daughter, Hannah, and Wichita State University student Anais Bardin, spent many long days carefully painting the WIN offices in advance of its 20th anniversary open house in October 2017. In the process, they created the perfect canvas for Shubert’s mural.
Shubert, a busy local artist, was eager for her latest work to tell the stories of the Women of WIN – all survivors of domestic violence. The result is a wall full of images that reflect the women’s “challenges and dreams” she said.
The mural captures women of many ethnic backgrounds and ages on their journeys from pain and despair to soaring hope and freedom. It includes images of ravens – the symbol of impending change – and of butterflies – the symbol of change realized.
For Shubert, who grew up in an abusive home, this project was a way to make up for the helplessness she felt as a child.
“I couldn’t help Mom as much as I wanted, so now I try to give back in her memory to women who have gone through the same thing.”
In the process, she hopes she’ll inspire other domestic abuse survivors to “feel emboldened to break away and make a change for the better.”
“It takes a huge leap of faith for these women to step away from their abusers, one that I could never get my mom to make,” she says.
You’re invited to see the mural for yourself. Just give us a call at 262-3960 and tell us when you’d like to come. Our offices, at 510 E. Third, are open during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
