Abuse Prevention and Recovery

By Amanda Gonzalez

Valencia Community College recognized sexual responsibility week. Darlene Barriere made an appearance at Valencia's East campus to give a presentation on abuse prevention and recovery, topics that go hand in hand with the Get into Reading book choice, "Push."

Barriere began her presentation by informing the audience that she was a victim of child abuse and sexual assault herself. "I really wanted what happened to me to have purpose. What better way than to share my story," said Barriere. "Awareness helps you to understand and make better choices."

Among abuse and recovery issues Barriere covered were the effects of alcohol and its presence in many rape cases, the shame that victims of abuse feel as well as the blame they put on themselves, and the more modern issue of sexting.

Other topics that were addressed with particular importance were those of dating violence and consent. Attendees were informed that sexual awareness can make all the difference in becoming a victim of sexual assault. Barriere also stressed the importance of consent, including what can and cannot be considered consent.

David Novalis, a peer educator at Valencia, was part of the group that made Barriere's appearance possible.

"We already had a lead on her, someone already knew about her, so we contacted her. We had tables outside on Tuesday and Wednesday and we made the brochures," said Novalis of preparations for the speech.

Barriere felt she could relate to Precious Jones, the fictional character from "Push," because Barriere was also scared to speak out at first. Barriere happened to be one of the abuse victims who believed society would put the blame on her and look at her in a negative light."I thought they were going to blame me," said Barriere, "because it wasn't just my parents I thought it would come from; I thought it would come from my friends too."

Marilyn Friedland, a student at Valencia, shared her thoughts on the presentation and the ways in which it relates to "Push." "The situation with the mom and Precious in the book, that's someone you trust, that's someone that's your family member and they still turn their back on you," said Friedland. "She also has really low self-esteem, like the speaker was talking about that those people get targeted more often."

More information on Barriere and her work on abuse prevention and recovery can be found at http://www.darlenebarriere.com/ and http://www.child-abuse-effects.com/. Barriere can also be found on twitter under the name of HealFromAbuse.

Duality

‘Duality’ shows two sides of great art
By Amanda Gonzalez

ORLANDO, Fla.—Chris Kahler, professor of painting and drawing at Eastern Illinois University, made an appearance at Valencia’s East Campus as part of the opening reception for “Chris Kahler: Duality.”

“Chris Kahler: Duality” is an art exhibition, which went on display this January at Valencia East. Although some of Kahler’s paintings are displayed in galleries in St. Louis, Mo. and Santa Fe, N.M., this is his first art show in Florida.

Upon entering the Anita S. Wooten gallery, the title piece of the installation can be seen with a painting of Kahler’s just below it. Behind the large-scale painting is the gallery itself. Several of Kahler’s paintings are on display in the gallery. The largest of all the paintings, which happens to be 20 feet wide, is displayed in a separate hallway of the same building.

“I’ve always loved drawing,” Kahler said. “My mom was a painter and my dad was an architect, so it runs in the family.” 


Even though Kahler’s study of architecture came to an early end, the inspiration of architecture is apparent in many of his paintings, as well as the inspiration of biotechnology and anatomy.

Jackie Otto Miller, curator of the Anita S. Wooten gallery and a teacher of Design at Valencia, said, “Our dean, Wendy Givoglu, and our provost, Ruth Prather, they went to a conference and they met him and they saw his work, and they suggested to me that we post an exhibition of his work.”

The gallery is open to the public, as could be seen at the opening reception Friday night. Students, teachers, and outside visitors came with friends and family to see Kahler’s work as well as to hear his lecture.

“I’m here with my friend,” said Gabriela Cruz, a student at Valencia. “She likes art and wants to maybe take some art classes here, and she didn’t want to come alone. I liked it. It was really pretty and interesting to know how he does his work.”

Brian Rickson seemed to agree. “I’ve seen his work before on the internet, but it’s better live,” said Rickson.

“Chris Kahler: Duality” will be on display at Valencia's East Campus until March 4. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Anita S. Wooten gallery can be found in building 3 of the Valencia East Campus.

Aside from visiting the “Chris Kahler: Duality” art show at the East Campus, you can see some more of Kahler’s paintings at http://www.brunodavidgallery.com and also at http://www.davidrichardcontemporary.com. Kahler’s work can be found under the artists tab on both web sites.