Domestic violence speaker to unveil new artwork at RU

Zuleika-Gonzalez

Zuleika Gonzalez

Zuleika Gonzalez, artist, national speaker and advocate for domestic violence survivors, will bring her message of strength and survival and unveil her latest artwork at Radford University.

Gonzalez's "Bruised but Not Broken: An Epic Journey of Healing, Recovery and Triumph" - a multimedia photographic series she created based upon her own experiences with domestic abuse - will be on display in the RU Art Museum Downtown Radford, from Oct. 21 through Oct. 23. During the art receptions, Gonzalez will speak about her experiences and journey from surviving abuse to thriving.

In a special presentation, Gonzalez will unveil the latest addition to that series. This will be the first public premiere of the new art.

Gonzalez will speak to the entire RU community at a public event to raise awareness for domestic and sexual violence. The presentation will take place in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium on Oct. 20, at 5 p.m.

Immediately following this forum, a reception will be held in the College of Business and Economics (COBE) multipurpose room from 6 to 7:30 p.m. It is at this reception, sponsored by COBE, the Masters of Business Administration Program and the office of Diversity and Equity, that Gonzalez will unveil her latest work.

"When you are empty, you either fade into the shadows or you find the strength and courage to live," Gonzalez said of her experiences with abuse. "Strength to stand up again and courage to face and forgive my mistakes. Strength to step out of the shadows of shame and courage to tell my story. I don't just share my story, I share the stories of thousands of women who stand behind me."

Gonzalez's visit marks RU's observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and is sponsored by the Scholar-Citizen Initiative, the RU Art Museum and the Department of Criminal Justice. For more information about Gonzalez's engagement at RU, visit the Scholar-Citizen Initiative.

The RU Art Museum Downtown Radford is located at 1129 E. Main St.

Oct 15, 2014