Welcome to The Green River Victim Memorial Art Project, a powerful initiative by the Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS) that aims to honor the lives of the victims of the Green River Killer and create a space for healing and remembrance.
About OPS and Our Mission
OPS is committed to creating a world of gender equity, racial justice, and freedom from all forms of oppression and exploitation. Our survivor-centered services include case management, one-on-one advocacy, support groups, therapy sessions, integrated movement therapy, addiction and recovery support, referrals to housing resources, community meals, art workshops, yoga, peer engagement, employment services, leadership and professional development, and connection to other community resources.
We believe in providing a safe and supportive environment to survivors, where they are respected, heard, and supported in their journey towards healing and empowerment. OPS also engages with and trains organizations in the community to ensure that survivors have access to the resources and support they need, and that survivor voices are centered in decision-making processes.
The Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway, is responsible for the presumed murders of more than 90 prostituted women and girls in the Seattle area between 1981 and 2001. He was charged with killing 49 identified victims, more than half of whom were under the age of 18. The impact of these tragic deaths goes beyond the numbers, as there were many more victims who were never found or identified.
The creation of The Green River Victim Memorial (GRVM) is a crucial step towards acknowledging and healing from this tragedy. For far too long, these victims have gone unacknowledged, and it is essential that we address the violence of prostitution that continues to affect our community. The memorial seeks to dispel the myths and victim-blaming attitudes towards prostitution and provide a place for future generations to learn from our painful past.
The Green River Victims and Why We Memorialize Them
The Beginnings of the Green River Victim Memorial
This Green River Victims Memorial (GRVM) has been at the core of the OPS since its inception.
The Green River Victim Memorial project began with Phase One, where survivors of prostitution, along with the families of victims, came together through participatory art workshops to create dialogue and promote healing. From January 2013 to October 2017, OPS organized art workshops led by local artists like Maggie Smith, providing survivors with the opportunity to engage with art as a part of their healing journey. These workshops not only facilitated restoration but also actively memorialized the lives lost.
The workshop attendees, who have been working in ceramic sculpture and tile, have been particularly interested in making art about the Green River victims. They have made tiles expressing ideas and emotions on this subject in ongoing sessions held monthly to create this living memorial.
Survivors Taking the Lead
At OPS, we firmly believe that survivors' voices should guide the memorial project.
Through their experiences and the healing power of creative arts, survivors have taken on the lead role, providing invaluable insights and establishing the foundation for a permanent memorial.
Their stories and expressions contribute to our community in profound ways, and it is vital that we welcome and honor their contributions.
The Tiles and the Future
As part of the GRVM, survivors and participants in the art workshops have created 100 exquisite ceramic tiles. These tiles, sculpted in bas-relief and adorned with intricate designs, express individual artists' reactions to the Green River killings. Some tiles commemorate specific victims, while others explore themes of violence, love, and hope.
Our long-term goal is to partner with local Washington airports, King County Colleges, and Art Galleries to develop a traveling living memorial that celebrates the resiliency of survivors and raises public consciousness about gender-based violence.
The art exhibit will offer services to women leaving prostitution and provide an opportunity for the community to learn from the history of the Green River killings.
It will display strong artwork with emotional impact in places where art is not typically seen. We recognize the significant impact that trauma can have on individuals, so we're committed to ensuring that this project is grounded in sensitivity and awareness. The tiles' origin story will be accompanied by interpretive materials, such as an informative panel on an easel or a nearby wall, that are designed to educate and inform the viewer while avoiding any re-traumatization.
We are planning to have other GRVM specific Art Workshops to create more tiles in 2024 because the Art Workshop is itself an aspect of the Living Memorial.
Stay connected with The Green River Victim Memorial Art Project and OPS by following us on social media (Instagram or Facebook).
Stay tuned for updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and opportunities to support survivors and our community.
The Green River Victim Memorial Art Project is a testament to the strength and resilience of survivors.
If you are a local business, college, or art gallery, contact us here for more information about this project and how to get involved.
Together, we can create a world free from exploitation and violence.
Join us in our mission to heal, empower, and honor the lives affected by the Green River Killer.