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 Victims and Why We Memorialize Them
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 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 first art exhibit for the Green River Victim Memorial Tiles was first on display at UW School of Social Work during June 2019. Our current 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 education on the world of CSE 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 2025 because the Art Workshop is itself an aspect of the Living Memorial.
Announcing our next GRVM Art Workshop Retreat
Join us at the GRVM Art Workshop Retreat (for survivors over 18 yrs old) on January 21st as we ferry over from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, painting tiles in honor of the Green River Victims.
This special event is more than an art retreat; it’s a moment to connect, remember, and transform grief into something tangible and healing. The tragic loss of lives at the hands of the Green River Killer reminds us of the voices we've lost and the stories untold. Through our collective art, we aim to provide a space for healing, awareness, and acknowledgment of the souls we remember.
For more details and to confirm your participation, reach out to Martha or London.
Take a look at our past Art Workshop on September 10th 2024
With hearts full of gratitude, we extend our deepest thanks to each participant, and to the generous artist who opened her studio for the GRVM Art Workshop Retreat on September 10th. Our journey from Seattle to Bainbridge Island became a sanctuary where we honored the Green River victims through the intimate craft of tile-making.
It was a gathering that transcended the bounds of a typical retreat, offering a sacred space to connect, to remember, and to channel our collective grief into a tangible form of healing.
We hold in our hearts the memories of those whose lives were tragically taken, acknowledging the weight of the voices silenced and the stories left untold. In each tile we crafted, there was a whisper of acknowledgement, a stroke of awareness, and a commitment to healing—not just for our community but also for the souls lovingly remembered.
The serenity of the Bainbridge Island studio, the nourishing food, the tranquility of the views, and the strength of our gathered community—these elements forged together, forming creations in wet bas relief that spoke volumes.
We are filled with anticipation to share the unfolding story of this living memorial with you soon. May our collective efforts continue to resonate hope, healing, and transformation.
Green River Victim Memorial Exhibit at Slip Gallery
This was our 2nd exhibit for the Green River Victim Memorial Tiles (previously on display at UW School of Social Work during June 2019).
This exhibit was on display from June 11th through July 5th.
OPS is raising public awareness about changing the narrative when it comes to survivors of CSE and to create a living memorial.
To achieve this, we are excited to announce our upcoming traveling exhibition featuring 100 exquisite ceramic tiles created by CSE survivors in OPS workshops.
Each glazed tile, carefully crafted, serves as a powerful expression of the individual artist's response to the horrific serial killings.
In this extraordinary exhibit, you will encounter tiles that honor and commemorate the lives of individual victims, paying tribute to their untold stories.
Others delve deep into highly personal iconography exploring the issue of this violence, shedding light on the pain and healing. Amongst these creations, you will also find tiles that exude love, hope, and an unwavering spirit of resilience.
Stay tuned for our next exhibit!
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.
