Stephanie Serrano and Makayla Lail, seniors at Polk County Early College, have begun work on their graduation project, called “Self-Healing Through Art” at Steps to HOPE, the domestic violence and sexual assault center serving and educating western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina.

Each participant will receive blank puzzle pieces to either draw or paint anonymously.

Some art will be selected from these events to be used in the Domestic Violence Awareness Walk, hosted by Steps to HOPE from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at Stearns Park, and again at the Heart Works Survivor Art Show, hosted by Our VOICE in Asheville. The collaborative piece will then be donated to Steps to HOPE.

This project began on Oct. 5 downstairs (Wall Street, Columbus) at Steps to HOPE, and will continue from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday.

No preregistration is necessary, and all materials are proved free of charge. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Small children must be accompanied by an adult.

People with questions may email 75238@polkschools.org.

– Submitted by Paula Ravan