Saidah Gray
On August 21, 2025, ACTA proudly unveiled REDEEMED at the Antelope Valley D.O.O.R.S Community Reentry Center, a powerful exhibition celebrating creativity, healing, and resilience. This show was a culmination of a 16-week mural arts workshop led by ACTA teaching artist Ethel Zafranco, where participants explored painting, clay, color psychology, and storytelling. It became a powerful expression of shared stories, transformation, and community. This work is part of LA County’s Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department (JCOD), in partnership with the LA County Department of Arts and Culture (LACDAC), which provides the funding for our part of this work.
The evening opened with a grounding land acknowledgment from JCOD’s Avi Bernard, reminding us of the indigenous lands on which we gathered. Soon after, the room came alive with music from ACTA teaching artists Eduardo Martínez, Tamara Martínez, Matt Amper, and program manager Federico Zúñiga. Another highlight of the program was when participant Yalonda Thompson and I joined together in song, performing “Unspeakable Joy,” a piece we co-wrote in ACTA’s Collective Songwriting workshop earlier this year. The performance captured the courage, creativity, and spirit of hope that defined REDEEMED.
The exhibition featured three collaborative murals created with family members, alongside moving individual artworks that traced each woman’s artistic growth and emotional healing. Nine justice-impacted women, each a survivor of domestic violence, turned their pain into power, reclaiming their narratives through art. What began with one courageous participant soon grew into a sisterhood of women learning to process emotions, reconnect with faith and community, and embrace their creativity.
We were deeply honored to receive Certificates of Recognition from LACDAC, presented by LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. This recognition uplifted the work of ACTA, D.O.O.R.S Antelope Valley, and most importantly, the participants. Words of acknowledgment from JCOD Director, Judge Songhai Armstead, LACDAC Director Kristin Sakoda, and ACTA’s Acting Executive Director, Leticia Soto Flores, further underscored the importance of this work, honoring the dedication, artistry, and courage poured into these 16 weeks.
The evening closed with a heartfelt panel that I co-led with ACTA teaching artist Ethel Zafranco, joined by participants Angela Griffin, Asia Stephens, and Rita Ramos. Together, they spoke openly about their journeys, the obstacles they’ve faced, and the ways art has supported their healing and growth. What began as a workshop evolved into a sisterhood, as these women have become friends who remain connected through a group chat, encouraging and uplifting one another beyond the classroom. Witnessing their growth, resilience, and the deep bonds they’ve built has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it makes us proud to do the work we do at ACTA, creating space where community can feel seen, heard, and connected through traditional arts.
Check out some more of the wonderful art and hear from participants and partners in this video feature from the LA County Channel.
