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

Photo Gallery

Red-Dress-St-Marks_post

Additional Content

Read More Stories

Woven Together: God’s Call to Ministry

Jul 20, 2026 |
ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry reminded us that we are held together in Christ, sustained by the Spirit, and led by God—even when we can't see the way.

Read More »

Shining a Light: Rodney & Mildred

Jul 20, 2026 |
Just 11 days after their engagement, their future was shattered when he was picked up by ICE and taken to Stewart Detention Center located in a remote area of southern Georgia.

Read More »

Share with a Friend