The Sun
AwarenessIlluminating what has been hidden and creating space to see clearly.
ART • EDUCATION • ADVOCACY
BLOOM:
The Sun, The Seed & The Soil
Exposing the Hidden; Identifying the Fierce.
The BLOOM Project uses art and public health education to illuminate domestic and intimate partner violence—helping women and communities recognize the cycle of abuse, understand its impact, and connect with pathways toward safety, healing, freedom, and growth.
You don't have to know what to call it before you learn what you're experiencing.
WHAT IS BLOOM?
Art can open a door to understanding.
The BLOOM Project is an art-centered domestic violence education and advocacy initiative. Through visual art, storytelling, educational programming, and community engagement, BLOOM explores experiences that can remain hidden before, between, and after incidents of abuse.
Our goal is to make difficult experiences visible, create opportunities for recognition and reflection, and connect people with information and resources that can support safety, healing, freedom, and growth.
The Seed
IdentityHonoring the strength, worth, voice, and possibility that remain within.
The Soil
EnvironmentUnderstanding the conditions that influence safety, healing, and growth.
THE BOTANICAL CYCLE OF ABUSE
The rose doesn't begin with the thorn.
BLOOM uses botanical imagery to help people explore patterns that may appear within abusive relationships. The artwork creates an entry point for learning, reflection, and conversation.
01 — Incubation
Tension building
02 — Breach
Incident / explosion
03 — Honeymoon
Manipulation
04 — Chokehold
Calm / setup / false peace
FEATURED EXHIBITION
BLOOM: The Sun, The Seed & The Soil
Exposing the Hidden; Identifying the Fierce.
Exhibition: October 1–31, 2026
Opening Day Event: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Southeast Queens Artist Alliance (SEQAA) Residency
407A Colonels Row
Governors Island, NYC
BLOOM CALENDAR
Events by month.
Explore exhibitions, opening events, educational programming, community gatherings, and other BLOOM Project happenings. New dates can be added as they are announced.
2026 Events
OCT01–312026
EXHIBITION
BLOOM: The Sun, The Seed & The Soil
Southeast Queens Artist Alliance (SEQAA) Residency
407A Colonels Row · Governors Island, NYC
Exposing the Hidden; Identifying the Fierce.
Exhibition information →OCT172026
OPENING DAY EVENT
BLOOM Opening Day
Join The BLOOM Project during the October exhibition at the Southeast Queens Artist Alliance Residency on Governors Island.
Register / RSVP on Eventbrite →No events have been announced for this month yet. Follow @thebloomproject.nyc for new dates.
INFORMATION & SUPPORT
You are not alone.
If you're questioning a relationship, trying to understand what you're experiencing, supporting someone you love, or looking for information, support is available without judgment.
NYC
Call 311 and ask for domestic violence assistance. NYC Family Justice Centers provide free and confidential assistance.
NYC Family Justice Centers →New York State
Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline
1-800-942-6906
Text 844-997-2121
National
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Text START to 88788
Immediate danger: call 911. Internet use can be monitored. The Quick Exit button opens a neutral website, but it does not erase browser history.
PARTNER WITH BLOOM
Reach communities through art, education, and conversation.
The BLOOM Project works with organizations serving women, families, and communities affected by domestic and intimate partner violence. Art can create an approachable entry point for education and engagement where traditional messaging may not reach everyone.
Community Education
Art-centered learning focused on recognizing and understanding domestic violence.
Exhibitions
Visual storytelling designed to create awareness, reflection, and conversation.
Community Engagement
Programming that supports meaningful connection with the populations organizations serve.
Collaboration
Partnership opportunities for organizations focused on women, families, public health, and community wellness.
ABOUT BLOOM
Created at the intersection of lived experience, public health education, advocacy, and art.
The BLOOM Project recognizes domestic violence as an issue that can affect individuals, families, children, communities, and public health. By using art as an entry point, BLOOM creates another way to begin conversations that can otherwise be difficult to start.
Founded in 2026 by Christine Smith-Thorpe, MPH. Queens, New York. Serving New York State with in-person and online engagement.
THE BLOOM PROJECT ON INSTAGRAM
BLOOM in Motion
Art. Healing. Advocacy. In Real Time.
CONNECT WITH BLOOM
Start a conversation.
For collaborations, exhibitions, educational programming, general information, and partnership inquiries.