St. Mark’s, Asheville’s REDress Project

The red dresses stand empty, symbolizing the absence of women who are no longer present.

May 19, 2025 |

In the U.S., May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) and Girls. In observance, the Racial Healing Team at St. Mark’s, Asheville, replicated an impactful visual art installation, the REDress project, created by Métis artist Jaime Black in 2010.  The St. Mark’s installation included 35 red dresses for the 35 MMIW on the Qualla Boundary, the names of each woman, and any available information about them. The red dresses stand empty, symbolizing the absence of women who are no longer present. The color red was chosen for its visibility and its connection to life and its spiritual significance in many Indigenous cultures.

Story Attribution:

Deacon Katie Rivers, St. Mark's, Asheville

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