We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samantha K Dallett a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Samantha K thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
The Every 68 Seconds Project is the brainchild of photographer Brian Fry and myself, an artist and model. This “art activism” is one of the most impactful projects that I’ve been lucky enough to participate in. It has been an amazing, liberating, and challenging effort. This is how the Every 68 Seconds Project came to be.
An Artist & Model
Following high school, I (@sam_dallett) accepted an athletic scholarship to Jacksonville University to row on the Women’s Crew team. In my first semester at college, I experienced my second sexual assault by a fellow rower – the first having been at the hands of a high school boyfriend. Following this trauma, I began to lose many parts of myself. I no longer found joy or camaraderie in a sport that had previously brought me so much happiness. I lost my sense of self and in trying to survive I began developing codependencies, addictions, and other unhealthy behaviors. I quit the crew team and changed my major, pursuing my love of art.
Having been raised in a religious household, I learned ways to suppress this dirty shame and my toxicities as I navigated through two more universities. Over the next few years, I was sexually assaulted twice more, experienced harassment on campuses, and endured a mentally abusive relationship. Sadly, I saw myself as my abusers did – which devastated my self image. Eventually, I returned to Jacksonville and attended the University of North Florida. Excited to be in the comfort of familiar surroundings, I realized that I was also returning to an environment that had sustained some of my worst habits. Leading to my rape and inevitability another boyfriend that would later become another assaulter. At this time I hadn’t yet realized the role I was playing in my own cycle of abuse.
Through many of my experiences, I confided in female friends, teammates, and family members. While they offered what support they were able, I was often left to process and heal alone – until a couple of UNF professors encouraged me to conceptualize my art and tell my story. It was a pivotal moment when I discovered art in a new therapeutic way. With this breakthrough, I granted myself permission to share my truths and break the cycle. With no instant fix to addiction or overnight remedy to cure depression/PTSD, I continued to struggle until finding my sobriety in 2021 and launching the Every 68 Seconds Project.
A Photographer
Brian (@brianfry.photography.2) began photographing both amateur and professional models as a young man in his twenties. Brian’s shooting style is reactive – meaning, model sessions start with general concepts and progress according to the energy and interactions between the model and photographer. The style often leads to discussions about a wide variety of topics, getting to know the model.
Brian quickly noticed a recurring but dark storyline echoed by many models. And, not just amongst models, but in other relationships with friends and romantic partners. Specifically, the frequency with which women recounted their experiences of sexual assault and violence. Often, there were multiple incidents and frequently they began at a young age. Unfortunately, this was something to which Brian could relate.
Sexually assaulted at the age of 15 by a teacher and his husband (both more than 30 years older) – Brian disclosed his assault to only a very few people in his life. Brian spent more than 35 years ashamed, embarrassed, and blaming himself for “letting it happen.” Empathetically listening to friends, girlfriends, and models recount their own horrific experiences in detail, Brian identified with the pain, depression, and guilt they described. So many people recounted similar experiences, and these were the ones willing to talk about their trauma. Many of these people he had just met, and he knew the true number of victims had to be much greater. National statistics are mind-numbing. Over 400,000 sexual assault every year – just in the United States. Yet, it’s a topic that is seldom discussed.
Like many survivors, Brian was hesitant to share his childhood experiences for fear he wouldn’t be believed or worse, would be blamed. When he finally disclosed to his psychiatrist, the response was, “well, you must have wanted it.” Exactly the response he feared and the reason he hadn’t shared his story earlier. If that was the response of a psychiatrist, what would other people say? It had been more than 30 years struggling to suppress the memories. Why would he expose this raw vulnerability now?
Brian carried a lot of guilt for all those years. He knew he couldn’t be the only victim. That teacher had a career of more than 30-years as educator, mentor, and coach to thousands of high school students. How many other victims had suffered just because Brian was afraid to tell anyone? It was time to do something.
The Collaboration
The Every 68 Seconds Project was derived from a personal goal of Brian’s and soon was a shared dream, and now an inspiring reality. He proposed the idea of “Ending Rape Culture” – as if it were so easy to do – and the victim in us both realized the impact this work could have on others that might also be struggling. In 2021, after my first submission of art to Surviving to Thriving, we knew the work we wanted to do, the changes that needed to be made, and we felt the responsibility was ours. We stood witness that evening, to many other survivors willing to share and knew this was much larger than us, than Jacksonville, and much much larger than any reason we had to not do it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am an artist first hand – an illustrator and figurative painter. I prefer to work on large scale acrylic pieces, and have been dabbling in abstract work more recently. Though I wear many hats and the three that trump artist are activist, Model/actor, and full time nanny.
Through modeling I met and befriended Brian and we were able to launch The Every 68 Seconds Project (IG @every68secondsproject) – which is our nonprofit supporting survivors of sexual assault and sexual violence. The project came to life in the fall of 2021 when Brian and I realized the experiences we shared and the desire we both had to put a stop to the normalization of rape culture.
The Every 68 Seconds Project is always open to new participants as we encourage survivors to move through their healing journey. You can either participate through the Survivor Portraits or submit to Reflections, which is the newest opportunity within the project where you submit your own portrait. This is our first major attempt to work with survivors outside of Jacksonville, and through which we wish to build a more diverse representation of Sexual Assault Survivors.
Along with the nonprofit, I work as a model, stylist, and actor (IG @sd.Kristine). My most recent modeling opportunities have been for the figure classes at UNF and the CorkArt District. In February I signed to my first agency for representation across Florida and have since booked and worked my first commercial job. Acting is my newest endeavor, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.
In addition to building a platform for survivors, a brand for myself, and continuing my artistry (IG @samanthakristineart), I have also started my own business. I currently nanny full time through Sam’s KARE (IG @sams.kare) – where every child is met with Kindness, +Attitude, Respect, and Enthusiasm – and offer other child care services. Starting this business was my way of legitimizing the odd jobs and babysitting gigs I had continuously embraced.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
In March 2021, COVID-19 was in full force. Many were finding creative ways to pass the time, and even more were sharing it on social media. Artists, musicians, photographers and models to influencers and educators – everyone was rebranding and looking for work. Resuming photography as a hobby, Brian was searching for new faces in Jacksonville. And following the end of our global shutdown, I was immersed in my freelance modeling. We first met for a meet and greet/lunch to establish a good understanding of what we both wanted from our first photo shoot together. We quickly realized we had many similarities and common interests. Our friendship grow from there, enabling the convergence of art and activism. Of surviving and healing. Of friendship and connectivity.
We first met as photographer and model, and now work alongside each other to continue the work with the Every 68 Seconds Project. We instantly clicked and working together was easy. We share similar past experiences, common goals for the future, and support each other endlessly. Our partnership and friendship has created a great foundation for the weight of the Every 68 Seconds Project.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the fact that my work is also my play, my safety, and my healing.
I wear many different hats, and do many different jobs. At the end of the day, I am an artist, and with that have created a lifestyle that supports creative freedom and radical expression. To me that is liberating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/everythingsd
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sam_dallett
Image Credits
Brian Fry Tomei