Beyond the Shadows

Barbara Lawrence is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder, and has been declared permanently disabled by the Social Security Administration.

She has a background in theater and dance, and a bachelor’s degree in studio art with an emphasis on sculpture and woodcarving. She is a published poet and author of I Walk with a Limp: My Personal Journey as a Trauma Survivor.

Barbara has given presentations on what it’s like to live as a survivor of immense trauma, as well as on the stigma of mental illness. She works one-on-one with other trauma survivors, helping them learn how to navigate the myriad challenges they face by sharing her experience and offering a compassionate ear. Most importantly, she offers them hope.

Barbara has never married and has no children. She resides in Connecticut with her rescue cat, Zeke. 

 Faith Montaperto-Ward is a multi-media artist, performer, and professional photographer with a B.A. (cum laude) in English and Theater from Eastern Connecticut State University and an A.S. (summa cum laude) in Drug/Alcohol Counseling from Manchester Community College in Manchester, CT. 

Through her business, Artshealinghearts, Faith facilitates creativity and art workshops for trauma survivors, incorporating her love of music, theater, and art, and has come to believe that “creative expression heals.” 

As a touring singer-songwriter, she performs with her husband as half of the Americana acoustic duo The Wards, drawing musical roots from blues, rock, and country. Her song "Buttons" can be heard in the opening credits of Beyond the Shadows. 

As a solo artist, and survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, she calls her own music "Recovery-Inspired" Blues-Gospel-Folk. Faith writes about real situations with mature themes, such as abuse, addiction, violence, death, and sexual assault. What is most surprising though, is that her songs do not come from a place of vengeance or regret, but from a place of acceptance and healing from what was the past and hope for what will be in the future.  

Finding no services for survivors in her home town of Monson, she created the nonprofit M.A.V.E.,  a.k.a. Monson Against Violence Everywhere, which helps to foster a dialogue about sexual assault and domestic violence awareness through creative events like survivor art shows, music festivals, and the annual production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues. 

Faith also works in a variety of mediums, such as collage and picture books, mixed-media, special f/x makeup, jewelry, creative writing, photography, and graphic arts.  Currently, she teaches art, theater, and photography for the Monson school system, and hosts the very successful Open Mic Night at The Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, CT.   

 When she’s not working, Faith enjoys spending time with her family and her two kitties, Ballad and Parker.  For more information please visit her website at www.artshealinghearts.weebly.com