Pittsburgh, PA – Yesterday, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women — in collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh — launched Reflections of Healing, a first-of-its-kind guided art tour and community reflection project in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The initiative will empower survivors by breaking the silence around domestic violence and engage the community in dialogue, healing, and prevention education. The initiative can be viewed online here.
Reflections of Healing is a contemplative tour of artwork at Carnegie Museum of Art with reflective prompts that share the cycle of domestic abuse while creating space for creative healing. It was developed in collaboration with teams from both the museum and the Women’s Center & Shelter.
Following the initiative’s launch, reflections will be collected from participants between October 2025 and June 2026 and will be shared with a local Pittsburgh poet who will craft an original poem inspired by the community’s collective responses that will be performed at the Reflections of Healing follow-up event in October 2026.
“Speaking openly about domestic violence is one of the most powerful ways we can support survivors and stop the cycle of abuse,” said Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women. “Through the arts, experiences that are too often hidden find their place in the light — lifting up survivors’ voices, reminding us of our shared humanity, and sparking conversations about how each of us can play a role in healing and change.”
“This exhibit invites our community to pause and connect, reflect and heal,” said Nicole Molinaro, President/CEO of the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. “For those who have experienced or witnessed domestic violence, we hope it offers a space for affirmation and healing, along with a sense of being seen. For those who have not, we hope it deepens awareness and empathy, illuminating the courage and resilience that define a survivor’s journey.”
“Art holds the power to illuminate truths, foster empathy, and build bridges between people and experiences. With this first-of-its-kind guided tour and community reflection project, together we are creating space where survivors, advocates, and community members can come together to witness, reflect, and connect through the lens of art,” said Dana Bishop-Root, Director of Education and Public Programs at Carnegie Museum of Art. “This initiative embodies the museum’s commitment to be a porous and responsive institution — one that listens deeply, engages meaningfully, and uses art as a catalyst for change.”
The project builds on the Shapiro Administration’s ongoing commitment to violence prevention and survivor support. By blending art, advocacy, and community storytelling, the Reflections of Healing offers a unique way to foster safe dialogue around domestic violence, reduce stigma, and elevate voices that are often unheard.
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