Clothesline Project
The Grace Smith House Clothesline Project is a powerful visual display of t-shirts created by survivors of domestic violence or their loved ones. Each shirt is designed to represent a particular victim's experience. This emotional expression is part of a national movement to bear witness to these experiences, help those impacted with the healing process, and educate document, and raise our community's awareness of the extent of domestic and sexual violence problems.
Grace Smith House is the custodian of the largest collection of t-shirts in Dutchess County. There are over 400 shirts, spanning back over the past 40 years. In the past, shirts have been displayed at the New York State Police Troop K headquarters; Dutchess County Sheriff's Office; Poughkeepsie Galleria; Betsy Jacaruso Gallery in Rhinebeck; and Gallery 40 in Poughkeepsie.
This exhibition is one of the largest regional exhibitions of the Clothesline Project and will display t-shirts created over the 30-plus years. During October 2025, Grace Smith House was proud to be in Wappingers Falls at the River Valley Arts Center, 9 S Meiser Avenue, Wappingers Falls, NY. Grace Smith House tries to bring the Clothesline Project to another part of Dutchess County each year as part of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month efforts to increase the conversation about the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence. One in four women and one in ten men, along with one in three teens, have experienced intimate partner violence.
In 2024, Grace Smith House expanded the Clothesline Project's visibility by partnering with Dutchess Community College and its Media Arts students. The Media Arts students created a video describing the Clothesline Project and its impact on domestic violence survivors, and how making a t-shirt helps them process their emotions. The video discusses the role creative expression can play a role in working through domestic violence trauma. To see the video, click here. Grace Smith House partnered with Dutchess Community College & The Mildred I. Washington Gallery to exhibit The Clothesline Project and the students' video.
Watch for our 2026 Clothesline Project location and details.
Thank you to all our Clothesline Project sponsors, who help to provide vital services to victims of domestic violence. Programs such as these increase the understanding and prevalence of domestic violence. Together we can make a difference.
All proceeds from the Clothesline Project directly go to those we serve and help Grace Smith House continue to be an open door for the victims of domestic violence.
