Team APG gets together to paint teal ribbons in order to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention and response at Brewner Lanes on April 20.

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The Sexual Harassment/A Response and Prevention Fusion Directorate hosted its first “Paint With A Twist” at Brewner Lanes on APG North (Aberdeen) on April 20. Team APG came together to paint teal ribbons on canvas with instruction from local artist Antonio Moore.

Moore, a local artist, has been helping with painting events on APG for seven years.

“[I like that] everyone’s individual personalities come out on the canvas,” he said. “Even though everyone has their own template, they get to make it their own.”

Moore said his priority with painting events is to “make sure everyone’s having a good time.”

Along with painting, participants also won SHARP goodies in a raffle.

Shariese Demby, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, said that the Fusion Directorate picked the teal ribbon for everyone to paint because it “symbolizes supporting survivors of sexual assault.”

SHARP Fusion Directorate had many events and activities going on during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, including virtual Teal Tuesdays, a poster contest, and decorating trees along the route 22 gate with ribbons. Demby said that it’s important to raise awareness of sexual assault but it’s also important to “engage participants in a variety of ways.”

“All of these activities raise awareness but also get conversations going between employees and leaders,” Demby said. “Getting employees together that normally wouldn’t in a calm/relaxing atmosphere while being able to discuss awareness and prevention [makes a difference].”

While this was the first ‘Paint With a Twist’ event for the SHARP Fusion Directorate, Demby said they hope to host another one soon.