A statement is splashed against the walls in denim at the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place where phrases like “Hear Me” speak volumes. Fifty pairs of jeans have taken on new life and a message thanks to dozens of artists who have come together for Jeans for Justice.

The NewArt School and the Rape Crisis Center have teamed up in a joint-fundraiser and exhibit to raise awareness about rape in the community.

It’s part of a larger global movement triggered by a February 1999 ruling by an Italian judge who determined a woman wearing skin-tight jeans could not have been raped. The ruling stated, “it’s nearly impossible to even partially remove jeans from a person without their cooperation.”’  The following day, a group of female Italian lawmakers wore jeans to parliament prompting women all over the nation to join a skirt strike and wear jeans.

It’s an unusual pairing of organizations, an art school and gallery working with a rape crisis center.  While not typical, it just works, according to Reggie Helton, executive director of the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place.  They have a cause, and he’s got an auditorium and gallery, they just go together.

Bold stripes of scarlet, beads and the words “freedom” and “respect” on jeans of all shapes and sizes hanging along the gallery walls, depicting the rights of sexual assault victims.  Each pair has a different message, spoken through words and abstract art.

Some were designed by victims of rape themselves, like one pair that reads “I was 6 when it happened…I was 26 when someone told me it was not my fault.”

The jeans will be part of a silent-auction during the gala event on May 20 at the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place gallery.  During the event, the jeans will be modeled in a runway show.  The proceeds will go to the Rape Crisis Center and the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place.

“The awareness is more important than the money we make,” Helton said.

Helton said he likes working with non-profits where the results are definite.  On Nov. 17, 2007, the facility hosted a fashion-show with Family Builders of Catawba Valley to help get children in Catawba County adopted.  Thirteen pictures of children available for adoption adored the walls of the gallery in an event that led to one immediate adoption.  Then on April 7, the Newton-Civic and Performance Place partnered with the Humane Society of Catawba County for a fundraising event that also found new homes for 12 animals.

Elizabeth Glynn, former director of programming for the NewArt School, and Amy Eades-Fisher, the director of the Rape Crisis Center, realized they both needed to do a fundraiser.  They decided it would be a good opportunity to work together.

The jeans are on display through June 8 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  Tickets are $15.