Don’t Tell: The #Metoo Art of Helen Murdock-Prep

September 3rd – October 13th 

As the world marks the seventh anniversary of the #MeToo movement, local artist, Helen Murdock-Prep shares her experience as a survivor of educator sex abuse through her art. In an interactive gallery installation titled, “Don’t Tell: The #MeToo Art of Helen Murdock-Prep,” the artist has transformed the gallery space at the Huntington Arts Council.

Throughout the duration of the show there are several special FREE and open to the public events at the Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743. All are welcome to attend.

• Artists Reception, September 20, 2024 5:00PM – 8:00PM
• #MeToo Panel Discussion: Saturday, September 21, 2024 @1pm on educator sex abuse with Helen Murdock-Prep, S.E.S.A.M.E. President Terri L. Miller, Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, and Dr. Billie-Jo Grant. Please register at here by clicking this link.
• #MeToo Candlelight Vigil: Saturday, October 5, 2024 @6:30pm
  October marks the 7th year since the #MeToo movement shook the world awake with its worldwide cultural reckoning. Come gather with us at the Huntington Arts Council to tell, to expose, to voice, to shed light, to heal. Speakers, singers, storytellers.

This multi-faceted exhibit includes interactive elements such as a giant, floor to ceiling black web featuring pages from her diaries suspended from the threads like caught prey. The public is invited to enter the web to read from her diaries and experience the captured feeling the artist herself felt. 

In addition, in an effort to help others heal and see they are not alone, the public is invited to add a “#” symbol by attaching it to the web if they, too, were sexually harassed, abused or assaulted. This will give our community a visual representation of just how many have been harmed in this manner.

Other parts of the exhibit include: framed art pieces the artist created about the subject, videos she made and copies of her comic strip, “Shrinking Violet”, that deals with the aftermath of her trauma that led to depression, anxiety, panic attacks and agoraphobia.

Another interactive element featured are the blue #MeToo Healing Rocks. The public is invited to take a rock as a reminder  to speak up if you see abuse. The Healing Rocks can also be used to leave at the site of a person’s abuse, (or a symbolic place if that is not possible), in an effort to leave the abuse behind. As Judge Aquilina encouraged the victim’s of Dr. Nassar’s abuse in court: “Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things.”